Here we go, Liverpool one step closer to signing special midfielder | OneFootball

Liverpool are one step closer to signing their ideal midfielder.

Liverpool are expected to make midfield a major priority this summer, with a few unanswered questions starting to emerge around some important players in that area of the squad.

Curtis Jones is probably the biggest talking point right now. The academy graduate is heading into the final year of his contract and there has been little sign of a breakthrough in negotiations over a new deal. Naturally, that has led to growing speculation about what comes next for the midfielder.

Because of that, there is a feeling Liverpool could be open to offers if the right opportunity presents itself. It's also forced the club to take a closer look at its long-term midfield plans, with maintaining depth and continuity becoming increasingly important ahead of the transfer window.

At the same time, Liverpool are aware of interest in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. Both players remain under contract until 2028 and neither is expected to leave anytime soon, but their performances have not gone unnoticed across Europe.

The situations are slightly different, though. While there are some questions surrounding Mac Allister's long-term future, there is growing optimism when it comes to Szoboszlai. Discussions over a new deal are believed to be moving in a positive direction, and there is increasing confidence that Liverpool will eventually tie down the Hungarian to a long-term contract at Anfield.

Alexis Mac Allister’s situation at Liverpool is a bit less clear-cut. Talks over his long-term future are said to have slowed down in recent months.

That uncertainty is probably why Liverpool are already starting to think about their options down the line. It’s not that they’re actively looking to move him on, but at the top level, you always have to plan ahead.

Realistically, a transfer this summer feels unlikely. Mac Allister is still a vital player, regularly starting when fit and playing an important role in how the midfield functions. It would take a huge offer for Liverpool to even consider letting him go.

Longer term, though, things get a bit more complicated. His contract runs until 2028, and by the end of it he’ll be edging towards 30. Liverpool have usually been careful about locking players into big deals at that stage of their careers.

So with that in mind, it makes sense that the club is at least starting to think about possible alternatives, especially if they ever find themselves in a position where a big offer comes in.

Which could be on the horizon considering Real Madrid are looking for a midfielder and Mac Allister is highly appreciated by the club.

If the Argentine were to leave, his perfect replacement would likely be Lamine Camara.

No one has won more possessions (8.01 per 90 minutes) in Ligue 1 than Camara.

He has also covered an impressive 11.36km per 90 minutes for Monaco in the Champions League this season. Camara is capable of covering a lot of spaces and that makes him the perfect profile.

He is just a really tenacious midfielder who covers a lot of ground and who would really suit the intensity of Andoni Iraola's playing style.

He's also available for a reasonable fee, roughly around £43m, which would make him an absolute bargain.

And the Reds will have gotten a step closer to getting their ideal target. According to Nicolo Schira AS Monaco are closing in on a holding midfielder - Barcelona's Marc Cassado is one step away from joining the French side.

Considering he plays in the same position as Camara, this paves the way for the Senegalese midfielder to leave the French side and positions him one step closer to moving to the Reds.