Under coach Arne Slot, Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is awakening as a defensive midfielder. Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones are also performing well, while Wataru Endo is doing his job well.
Liverpool have a solid midfield squad, but this summer’s transfer window saw them looking for a player who could take over at the bottom of midfield. They came close to acquiring Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi, but ultimately decided to stay at Real Sociedad.
According to Anfield Watch, Liverpool’s scouting team continuously monitored the midfielders and were completely fascinated by the performances of Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez. There are also reports of interest in Argentine midfielder Alan Varela, but they also point out that the Spanish midfielder is the real deal.
The 22-year-old midfielder from Barcelona’s La Masia joined Porto in the summer of 2023. He gradually started as a central midfielder and almost started the second half of last season. He has secured a regular place in the team this season and has been named in the starting line-up in every domestic league game since the start of the season.
A large midfielder with outstanding technical and physical skills, including the ability to press effectively up front from midfield, he is a dynamic midfielder, unlike Zubimendi, who is more of a box-to-box player than a number six.
He has a contract with his club until 2028, but there is a €60 million release clause in place.
It should be noted that Barcelona have a buy-back clause of €30 million, which is valid until June 2025, and if they choose not to invoke that clause, 40% of the profits will go to the Catalan club.
Will Liverpool really be in the market for a young midfielder who is doing very well in Portugal…?