Liverpool are holding talks to sign the £85m midfielder

Liverpool should go into the 2026/27 season focused on challenging for titles.

After all, FSG are willing to spend a pretty penny this summer to tackle the problems that have festered under Arne Slot’s management over the past year.

It wasn’t good enough, and Andoni Iraola will know he needs to start quickly, even in a new seat, even after Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League, even now that Mohamed Salah has drawn the curtain on his Anfield career.

Right now, all the noise is forward, but strengthening the middle of the park is just as important in appealing to Anfield.

Liverpool are making calls about the wanted midfielder

Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola are both names being discussed by Liverpool’s decision makers. Diomande has already been the subject of an official, and rejected, request.

FSG are nothing if not ambitious, but they need to adopt a sniper approach this summer, moving away from the scattergun strategy that failed to support Slot’s vision last season.

It is important for Liverpool to cool down their front line, but that alone will not reorganize Liverpool, restoring balance to a title-challenging team.

Once these attacking issues are resolved, Liverpool need to sign a midfielder. Or two.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have made calls in the past few weeks to understand the terms of a possible deal for West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who is one of the most wanted players in England at the moment.

In full, Romano said: “I will tell you something that has not been public in recent days and weeks. Liverpool made a call two weeks ago to understand the situation of Fernandes at West Ham, to understand the price and terms, but they did not come back with any bid or any official discussion. They called two weeks ago, I can confirm that. Tottenham and Man United are busy with a deal, so there are many more expensive clubs than Liverpool’s 8 players. We are working for players they are in the womb.”

West Ham may have been relegated from the Championship last month, but they still believe they have one of the most talented midfielders in Europe, a player who would fit like a glove at Liverpool.

Why Fernandes would be Liverpool’s dream defender

Fernandes has faced relegation in the Premier League, but those spots in the copybook did not slow him down, he is still considered a profile defender who can improve the best teams.

Aged 22, he has yet to develop into “the Premier League’s ultimate midfielder”, although former Southampton player Jo Tessem once noted that was his level.

He is not the only midfielder on Liverpool’s radar. Last week, it emerged that LOSC Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who is only 18 years old, has already signed for Morocco, with FSG officials rumored to be flying out to confirm the possibility of a move.

However, Liverpool may want to continue to pursue Fernandes as their first choice. The Portuguese prospect could be the cream of the crop ahead of the melee of a new midfielder coming into life.

With a similar profile to the Moroccan maestro, Fernandes is arguably the most complete and most physically fit, if slightly handsome.

Bouaddi is almost balletic in the way he dances on the field – like a child on a playground, if the child in question is given the grace and wisdom of a professional.

Liverpool have excellent technical talent in Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch. Instead, they need someone who is aggressive, which is why Fernandes would be the perfect signing. The fact that he is also one of the most gifted midfielders in England is a juicy bonus.

Hailed as West Ham’s “masterpiece” by football writer Joost van der Leij, Fernandes could be Liverpool’s dream team in transition. He is developing and physical, and could well dominate Gravenberch, who missed the 2025/26 campaign but won last year’s young player of the year award as he helped Slot project towards the title.

Bouaddi would be a good choice, as he showed in the last few weeks at the World Cup, but Liverpool need to choose the best option as they fight to get back to the top.

Fernandes is one of England’s most exciting midfielders; with two years of experience fighting relegation, he is now ready to join an outfit challenging for the top spot on the podium.

Bouaddi would be a welcome addition, but is it a given that he can fire on all cylinders right away in the Premier League? That’s what Liverpool need, and Fernandes will fit the bill.