Arsenal and Liverpool open talks with £35m-rated goalscorer, but Arteta brilliance gives Klopp surprise advantage

Both Arsenal and Liverpool have ‘made contact’ over a £35m-rated goalscoring midfielder, though the Gunners’ recent brilliance may actually work against them, per a report.

The stories at the Emirates and Anfield couldn’t be more contrasting this season. Arsenal are on course to lift their first Premier League title since 2004, while Liverpool’s hopes of simply qualifying for next season’s Champions League are hanging by a thread.

Major surgery will be performed on Jurgen Klopp’s squad at season’s end. A particular focus is expected to be paid to the sub-par midfield.

Arthur Melo (loan expiry), Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (free agents) will all depart. James Milner could join them if FSG don’t dish out a 12-month contract extension over the coming months.

The Reds may already have their next iteration of Milner in their sights following a recent scouting mission. However, multiple additions will be required to fix Liverpool’s engine room.

Jude Bellingham remains the primary target, though even if signed for what is likely to be £100m-plus, he cannot be the only new face.

Elsewhere, Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg recently reported Liverpool had mirrored Arsenal by opening dialogue over a move for Frankfurt’s Jesper Lindstrom.

The 23-year-old Denmark international has bagged nine goals and four assists for Frankfurt this term. He operates primarily in an attacking midfield role, though can also deputise on the flanks or in a front three when required.

As such, he can be viewed as a player in the mould of Harvey Elliott, though aged 23, is further along in his development.

A fresh update from Sky Germany has shed new light on Lindstrom’s future, with the headline attraction the claim Frankfurt are ‘ready to let the Dane go’ this summer.

READ MORE: Arteta makes unexpected Arsenal exit decisions for quartet after already sanctioning double sale

Arsenal brilliance works in Liverpool’s favour

Lindstrom is under contract until 2026, though Frankfurt are poised to embark on sweeping changes this summer. Lindstrom is among a cluster of players who could depart, while manager Oliver Glasner is expected to leave too.

The report doubled down on the claim contact with both Arsenal and Liverpool has opened. Lindstrom can reportedly be signed for a figure in the €35m-€40m range (approx. £30.5m-£35m).

A move to high flying Arsenal who’ll have UCL football on offer next season would appear to be the sexier of the two. However, per the Sun, Arsenal’s exploits may actually work in Liverpool’s favour.

That’s because the outlet state that if Lindstrom were to move to the Emirates, he’d likely be pencilled in as Martin Odegaard’s back-up.

Arteta and Edu have worked wonders in the market in recent seasons, with the superb squad they’ve assembled bearing fruit this season.

Few signings have been as inspired as that of Odegaard who has been nothing short of sensational this term. But with the Norwegian virtually undroppable, Lindstrom may find himself rooted to the bench for weeks or even months at a time if moving to north London.

By contrast, Liverpool’s under-strength midfield would likely see Lindstrom walk straight into Klopp’s starting eleven. His only attack-minded midfield options who’ll definitely be at Anfield next year are Elliott who was initially signed as a winger and Thiago Alcantara who cannot stay fit.

If regular minutes are top of Lindstrom’s agenda, a move to Anfield could be favoured.