Transfer news: Liverpool working on three midfielder signings as new plan emerges

Transfer news: Liverpool working on three midfielder signings as new plan emerges

As they prepare for a complete rebuild, Liverpool has set their eyes on recruiting three new midfielders this summer, according to insiders who spoke to Football Insider.

The Merseysiders are already preparing to let key talents go ahead of a window promising the largest changes to the club since the beginning of the Jürgen Klopp era by working on potential transactions.

Liverpool is keen on signing Jude Bellingham (Getty Images)

With three of Liverpool’s first team players, Naby Keita, Alex Oxalde-Chamberlain, and James Milner, having contracts expiring at the end of the season, the midfield will be the focus of their plans. Other first team players are past their prime and are likely to fall further down the pecking order.

None of the three expected has been a regular starter this season, although Milner has made 27 appearances in total across 900 minutes of action and is the only one who could get an extension.

But he turned 37 in January and Liverpool and their manager Jurgen Klopp accept they need younger and more dynamic replacements.

The plan is to bring in at least three new midfielders and “huge” cash has been set aside for doing so, with work already underway on making background checks.

Two are expected to big names who can slot straight into, and instantly improve, the first team. The other is likely to be a cheaper, perhaps less senior, midfielder who can be developed by Klopp and his coaching staff.

Liverpool have been immensely encouraged by the impact made by Stefan Bajcetic, 18, but Fabinho and Jordan Henderson have struggled this season, while first-choice Thiago Alcantara has a poor injury record.

Jude Bellingham is the top target for Liverpool going into the summer and they have been busy laying the groundwork for what would be a potential club-record deal.

They will need to pay well over £100million for the Borussia Dortmund sensation

But the Merseysiders face extensive competition for Bellingham from the world’s elite clubs, most particularly Man City and Real Madrid.

Keita will be let go, and there are no plans to keep hold of Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The club were keen to discuss an extension with Keita in the autumn but talks have collapsed after he was not interested in taking a pay cut.

In other news, Bukayo Saka finally makes decision on Arsenal future amid Liverpool transfer interest