With reports suggesting that Jordan Henderson wants to join Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League after an offer of £700,000 a week, the 33-year-old could leave Liverpool if the two clubs can come to an agreement.
Henderson has been one of Liverpool’s most consistent and important performers since his arrival from Sunderland, as well as regularly featuring for the England national team.
However after last season’s underwhelming campaign, Jurgen Klopp has set about reinvigorating his squad, and James Milner and Naby Kieta have left, while Thiago could also depart.
Alexic Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have arrived, but midfielders continue to be linked from across Europe.
We take a look at three names in the frame.
Khephren Thuram (Nice)
Reports have linked the 22-year-old Frenchman with a move to Anfield. The midfielder is both defensively and technically adept, and given his age he would represent an addition with plenty of potential.
Given the age of the other midfielders he would play with, and their experience, there would doubtless be time to adjust, and his youth may help him deal better with the physical demands made on players by Klopp.
He is believed to be valued at around £25 million, which marks him out as an affordable option for the Reds.
Romeo Lavia (Southampton)
Lavia holds some advantages over Thuram. He is 19 and boasts Premier League experience, where he was able to impress for Southampton as they struggled. With Liverpool’s better players, he should be able to offer more creatively.
That might be his downside, as he is best known for now for his defensive abilities and less so his attacking nous.
Another drawback could be the asking price, which is said to be around £50m, and the interest he is attracting from other teams in the league. Arsenal may make an offer, which could kick off a bidding war.
Fede Valverde (Real Madrid)
Valverde is 24, a seasoned international with Uruguay, and a multi-trophy winning midfielder for Real Madrid.
Given all that, he is unsurprisingly valued above the other two names on this list, at £77m. There have been rumours that a bid of £51m was dismissed, which is no surprise given all Valverde offers.
He is known for his ability to keep the ball under pressure, his physical fitness, and his versatility. He can also play on the right flank, in advanced or defensive positions, and with the increased competition for spaces next season, perhaps he would be willing to move on.