Report: Liverpool now want to sign £65m star deemed ‘one of the best midfielders in the world’

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Liverpool are interested in bringing Frenkie de Jong to Anfield in the summer, according to Spanish outlet Sport.

The Reds currently have plenty of great options in midfield, with several talented players also coming through the ranks.

When Georginio Wijnaldum left Liverpool on a free transfer last year, Jurgen Klopp opted to promote from within.

The likes of Curtis Jones and Tyler Morton have been doing well for the Reds.

Nonetheless, there’s certainly scope for Klopp to bring in fresh legs in midfield during the summer.

And according to Sport – via Sport Witness – Liverpool have been considering a possible move for Barcelona’s De Jong.

The outlet claimed that the Reds, along with Bayern Munich, are ‘willing to pay’ to secure the player ‘at the end of the season’.

After Xavi replaced Ronald Koeman as Barca manager, De Jong initially struggled.

Sport stated that the Netherlands international ‘doesn’t feel comfortable in the fixed-inside position since he really likes driving the ball to overcome rival lines and, with Xavi, he seemed lost in some games’.

However, the report adds that things have now changed for the £65million man.

De Jong reportedly ‘feels much more liberated in the team’s new scheme’. He’s now happy at Barcelona, and can see himself having a long-term future with them.

Despite having ‘important offers on the table’, the Dutchman now wants to continue at the club, added the report.

Interestingly, there were apparently a few within the Barca who favoured his sale. He was the ‘clear candidate’ to help them raise funds.

Therefore, if Liverpool do launch a big offer in the summer, it remains to be seen what Barca’s stance will be.

Could Liverpool land Andrea Pirlo’s heir?

It’s a big ask, of course. De Jong now seems settled, and Barca’s hand is strong. His contract runs until 2026 and he boasts a 400m euro (£335m) release clause.

But if the Reds do manage to land him, they’d be getting “one of the best midfielders in the world”, in Julian Nagelsmann’s words.

And Andrea Pirlo has also sung De Jong’s praises in the past.

“At the moment, for me, Frenkie de Jong is the best,” he told the Daily Mail in 2019. “He has the personality, the technique, everything to play in this position.

“It’s the vision,” he added when asked if he reminds him of himself. “He knows the field and the movement of the other players. He is a very good player.”