Liverpool
Premier League • England
Liverpool dealt hammer blow in chase for one of top Jurgen Klopp midfield targets
A top Jurgen Klopp midfield target is reportedly set to disappoint Liverpool and sign a new deal with Italian giants AC Milan.
Reds boss Klopp is looking to bring in at least one player to bolster his engine room in January, after summer loan signing Arthur Melo has so far played to play any sort of role for the Anfield outfit.
A number of names have been linked with a switch to Merseyside, with Jude Bellingham chief among them. But Declan Rice, Enzo Fernandez, Sofyan Amrabat and Ismael Bennacer are also options for Klopp.
However, it appears that the latter will soon be off-limits after developments in Italy.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that, despite talk of Bennacer quitting the reigning Serie A champions in the near future, Milan are now optimistic about tying the 25-year-old down to a new contract – and that could happen sooner rather than later.
The Algeria international’s current contract expires in 2024. That means Milan would have to sell him at the latest next summer if they want to fetch a decent transfer fee.
Bennacer currently earns €1.5m (£1.3m) per season at Milan. However, his new contract makes sure that he will earn €4m (£3.5m) per season plus bonuses, states the report.
The talented midfielder has been at the San Siro since 2019, having signed from Empoli.
Liverpool set to turn to other targets
Manchester United are also thought to be in the running for Bennacer. However, Liverpool’s need for a midfielder has always been greater and Corriere Dello Sport states, via the Liverpool Echo, that the Reds may have made an offer to sign Bennacer.
However, the report does not reveal whether that is for the January window or the summer.
Any offer now feels immaterial though, given Milan’s stance on trying to keep Bennacer on board.
That news is also likely to prompt the Reds to look elsewhere, with Morocco star Amrabat reportedly keen on moving to Merseyside.
The Fiorentina star had a tremendous World Cup as the African side reached the semi-finals in Qatar.
He also ticks every box of what Klopp wants from a defensive-minded midfielder. He can run all day, is a good passer, is strong in the tackle and loves to press opposition midfielders.
Liverpool are back in action on December 22 when they face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.