If reports are true, Julian Ward could be bringing the next Claude Makelele to Liverpool – TBR View

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Liverpool have been tipped to bolster their midfield ranks next year.

James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are all out of contract this summer.

In addition, Jordan Henderson is 33 at the end of the season, so Liverpool will probably be looking for a successor.

It’s no surprise that the Reds are now being linked with a host of midfielders.

And with Liverpool having delved into the Portuguese league for top players, they are now supposedly eyeing another star of the Primeira Liga.

Over the past week, reports have emerged from Portugal linking the Reds with Benfica’s Florentino Luis.

O Jogo – via Sport Witness – claimed Liverpool made ‘exploratory contacts’ over the 23-year-old

Now, Record – also via Sport Witness – claims the Reds have the player ‘under their eye’, with him ‘referenced’ by Jurgen Klopp’s side.

This report also claims ‘exploratory contacts’ have already been made by Liverpool to ‘know what’s the current situation’ of the player.

Liverpool are apparently ‘studying a possible attack’ for him. That said, it doesn’t look as though they’ve made an offer just yet.

Liverpool target Luis – factfile

Luis has come through the ranks at Benfica and has made 50 senior appearances for the Portuguese giants.

His time at the club has also seen him take in loan spells at Monaco and Getafe.

Luis recently signed a new contract at Benfica, with a reported £104million release clause.

In 2020, FootballBH wrote: ‘A natural holding midfielder with an appetite for breaking up play, Florentino has similar attributes to Claude Makelele but with a taller and longer physique.

‘On top of his defensive prowess, Florentino is a composed passer with an excellent understanding of how to link attack and defence.’

Fans on Twitter have also compared Luis to Fernandinho and Moussa Dembele.

If reports are true, Liverpool could well get themselves the next Makelele at Anfield.

Luis looks like a very promising player with huge potential, so this could well be one to watch.