For Liverpool fans, it’s pretty clear their team needs midfield reinforcement. And it would appear their wish could be satisfied before the transfer window’s end.
That’s according to La Gazetta Dello Sport (via Paisley Gates) who claim Liverpool are closely watching the situation of AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer.
The report also claims that Manchester City are also interested in acquiring the services of the Algerian midfielder.
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Liverpool are said to be being patient in their approach due to Bennacer’s contractural situation.
His current deal expires in 2024, and if Milan don’t offer him a new deal soon, Liverpool are believed to be prepared to swoop in.
The midfielder reportedly has a release clause of £42.2 million within his current deal with the San Siro club.
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Bennacer, who was with Arsenal as a youngster, is an all-action midfielder who specialises in collecting the ball from deep and progressing it forward.
Amid Thiago Alcantara’s recent injury layoff, this is exactly the sort of midfielder Liverpool should be looking to sign this summer.
Thiago has become an essential figure at Liverpool since signing for the club 2 years ago, and thus the Reds look a completely different team when he is unavailable.
This issue was a key reason behind many a Liverpool’s belief that their club should have signed Matheus Nunes before he moved to Wolves.
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But Bennacer is arguably a safer bet than Nunes.
The 24-year-old played a key role in Milan’s league title win in Italy last season and is widely considered to be one of the best midfielders in the division.
Nunes on the other hand is a little less proven. He arrives from an inferior league and thus the level of opposition he played on a regular basis didn’t test his abilities to the maximum.
Bennacer, on the other hand, has been a regular starter in the Serie A for 4 years now, both with Empoli and AC Milan.
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Amid their poor star to the season, Liverpool would be wise to sign the Serie A star.
Robert Worthington