Liverpool to make incredible move for World Cup winner: report

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reacts ahead of the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in London on August 13, 2023.
(Image credit: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

Liverpool are accelerating their plans in the transfer market ahead of the looming deadline on Friday, and are ready to step up their interest in a number of key targets.

So far, Wataru Endo has joined Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai through the Anfield arrivals door this summer, but Jurgen Klopp isn't content with stopping there and has identified another midfielder to add to his squad.

Indeed, having lost Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner this summer, Liverpool are still lacking depth in midfield and are ready to address that by signing another World Cup winner.

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According to The Athletic, Liverpool are keen on signing Bayer Leverkusen defensive midfielder Exequiel Palacios. Mentioned as a possible alternative for Manchester United to consider, the report suggests Liverpool have been keeping a close eye on the Argentine this summer.

While Bayer Leverkusen's managing director for sport, Simon Rolfes, has claimed Palacios is not for sale this summer, the 24-year-old has just two years remaining on his contract and could force through a move in the final days of the window.

Palacios is a player who excels in winning the ball back, which would further free up Mac Allister and Szoboszlai to progress higher up the pitch should he sign for Liverpool. 

Liverpool target Exequiel Palacios of Bayer 04 Leverkusen controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and RB Leipzig at BayArena on August 19, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Stefan Brauer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

 Exequiel Palacios of Bayer Leverkusen (Image credit: Getty Images)

He is also someone who likes to keep the ball, preferring short balls over shorter distances rather than riskier passes.

His ability is highlighted by the fact that Lionel Scaloni selected him for the Argentina World Cup 2022-winning squad. Though Palacios failed to make a start during the tournament, he made three appearances to help his side see out games on their way to lifting the trophy. 

Transfermarkt values Palacios at £19m. 

Liverpool target Exequiel Palacios of Argentina, touches the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner's Trophy during the awards ceremony after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Juan Luis Diaz/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Palacios made three appearances as Argentina won the World Cup (Image credit: Getty Images)

More Liverpool stories

Liverpool transfer news is coming thick and fast as we enter the final few days of the summer window.

Jurgen Klopp has opened up about the club’s decision to launch a mega-money bid for Caicedo – but the Reds manager could be on his way out of Anfield sooner than anticipated. Meanwhile, Liverpool are targeting as many as four midfielders amid their struggles in the transfer market.

In our season preview of all 92 clubs, FourFourTwo discusses how Liverpool can get back to winning ways, with Salah proving pivotal in any future success this season. 

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.