The present market for defensive midfielders is squeezing the pockets of Premier League clubs, including Liverpool. They can’t afford to lick their wounds following a brutal setback in the battles for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, who appear to have been signed by Chelsea for a combined £170 million.
Jurgen Klopp’s midfield overhaul has included Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai, but he was given a bigger problem when the possibility of replacing Jordan Henderson and Fabinho appeared.
Mac Allister made his Reds debut in the base of the midfield three against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but as Anthony Taylor blew the final whistle, it became evident that a particular defensive midfield addition is required.
The Argentine performed admirably in the job, but it is clear that the role prevents the World Cup-winning midfielder from displaying the skills that prompted Liverpool to make him their first summer purchase.
Liverpool have failed to sign Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni (who was a target last season), Lavia, and Caicedo in the last 12 months. Could there be a brewing Premier League move surrounding Nottingham Forest that the Reds could jump in on?
Although the City Ground club finished above the relegation zone last season, their transfer targets should not be overlooked. PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Sangare is a player who Steve Cooper’s team is keeping an eye on.
The Eredivisie giants have rejected a second Forest proposal for the 25-year-old midfielder worth £21.5 million, according to Voetbal International via Nottingham Post. There are reports that a deal is possible if an apparent £32 million release clause is met.
Liverpool have been linked with the Ivory Coast international this week. According to a source close to the midfielder, the Reds are one of three European heavyweights surrounding the Dutch club for their defensive midfielder, along with PSG and Bayern Munich.
During his early years at FC Toulouse, Sangare was compared to Yaya Toure and Michael Essien; in subsequent seasons, there have been stylistic similarities to Yves Bissouma and current Chelsea recruit Lesley Ugochukwu.
Liverpool is desperate for a ball-winning defensive midfielder, and Sangare appears to have the credentials to fill that void. Last season, no player in the Eredivisie won more possession in the final third than the 25-year-old, who dispossessed opponents 158 times.
Mac Allister made three tackles in West London on Sunday, but Sangare averaged 3.7 tackles per game and had an 80.2 percent tackle success rate last season. Signing the Ivorian would not entail purchasing a player and putting him in an odd position; he played defensive midfield in 122 of his 136 games at PSV.
While Fabinho shattered the mold and raised the bar for line-breaking defensive midfield runs, Sangare has a long way to go. In the last 12 months, he had 1.23 per 90 minutes progressive carries, putting him in the 53rd percentile. His progressive passing, on the other hand, broke the 91st percentile with 7.64 every 90 minutes, with a pass success rate over 90%.
According to rumours, Liverpool would not have a fully clear run at Sangare, with PSG, Bayern Munich, and Premier League opponents Nottingham Forest also interested.
However, there remains a chance that an agreement will be reached this summer. PSV manager Peter Bosz stated last week that the midfielder could yet leave the Phillips-Stadion before the deadline on September 1.
“That he can still leave, it’s true,” he remarked. “We’re all aware of it. I believe he is doing fine. He is not distracted by what is going on around him. No, I have no say in the matter. But I hope he’s kept.”
Former Boeren manager and Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has openly praised the midfielder, predicting that he will “go to the top” in the English Premier League.
“Obviously, he can handle [the Premier League],” said Van Nistelrooy to Voetbal International. “I challenged him because I believe Ibrahim has what it takes to succeed in England.” He’d be equally at home in Italy or Spain.
“I see players in his position there now, and I think Ibrahim is definitely going to take a shot at that level.”
For the time being, Liverpool have few public choices to satisfy the people’s desire for a third signing of the summer. What is evident is the necessity for more engine room reinforcements in the next two weeks, and Sangare has demonstrated qualities that he could anchor the midfield at a price the Reds are historically willing to pay.
