Report: Liverpool have a ‘top target’ for defensive midfield, but there’s one big ‘complication’ | OneFootball

Despite some reports to the contrary, one trusted journalist has claimed that Liverpool have a defensive midfielder in mind as we enter the final week of the transfer window.

Having been all too easy to play through in the middle of the park last season and in the 2-2 draw at Newcastle on Sunday, there’s been a growing clamour for Richard Hughes to bring in a top-level number 6 before the market shuts next Tuesday.

James Pearce reported for The Athletic yesterday that Anfield chiefs don’t intend to sign a midfielder in the coming days, with the focus instead being trained on wide attacking reinforcements, but that isn’t to say the former position has been completely ignored by LFC recruitment staff.

Alex Scott is a ‘top target’ for Liverpool

According to Miguel Delaney for The Independent, Liverpool have a ‘top target’ for defensive midfield, with ‘multiple sources’ indicating that the player in mind is Alex Scott of Bournemouth.

However, there’s a major ‘complication’ in that the Reds wouldn’t be able to meet the 23-year-old’s purported asking price of £90m, so ‘there’s a sense’ that they may defer a pursuit for the Cherries number 8 until next year.

Such an approach carries a risk of losing out on him to a rival suitor such as Chelsea, who are weighing up a potential late-window offer for him despite the south coast club’s firm stance that they won’t sell him in the coming days.

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Scott would be perfect for Liverpool, but a move now seems improbable

A move to Anfield for Scott was cited as ‘one to watch’ by transfer reporter Alex Crook in early June, but nearly three months later there’s been no movement whatsoever in that regard.

While the Bournemouth maestro isn’t a conventional ‘destroyer’ in the mould of a Fabinho or N’Golo Kante, his statistics from last season (via Fotmob) show that he excels at winning back possession for his team and initiating attacks with his passing and dribbling ability.

Someone like him would be ideal for Liverpool right now, especially after the exit of another Englishman in Curtis Jones, but there’s a prevailing sense that Bournemouth absoutely aren’t for turning in the final days of the transfer window.

Perhaps FSG recognise that and have conceded that a late August pursuit would be futile when they’re also trying to seal the deal on other targets, but if any slight window of opportunity were to open up for Scott, they must be ready to pounce upon it.

It’s a shame that Anfield chiefs haven’t moved sooner for the 23-year-old, who seems like the perfect option to fix one of the several issues in Andoni Iraola’s squad as the summer – and the transfer window – nears its conclusion.