Liverpool are set to look elsewhere for their summer midfield rebuild after ending their long-term pursuit of Jude Bellingham.
A move for the highly-coveted Borussia Dortmund and England star, 19, was deemed too expensive by the Reds hierarchy, forcing them to drop out of the race.
Jurgen Klopp’s engine room is still in desperate need of reinforcements, with the contracts of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all expiring at the end of the season.
Ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Leeds this evening, we look at some of the alternative names they could be keeping an eye on.
Alexis Mac Allister
A standout player in Brighton’s impressive season under Roberto De Zerbi as well as Argentina’s triumphant World Cup campaign, Alexis Mac Allister is sure to be in demand this summer.
The versatile 24-year-old has impressed both as a deep-lying and advanced playmaker for the Seagulls and that makes him an attractive option for Liverpool.
His ability to find the net could also help ease the burden on the Reds’ front three, having chipped in with eight Premier League goals this term.
Conor Gallagher
Conor Gallagher is one of a number of stars who could be sacrificed by Chelsea this summer as they look to comply with potential financial fair play restrictions.
The Cobham academy graduate has been a regular presence during a chaotic season at Stamford Bridge but has started just 12 of 31 Premier League games under four different managers.
Klopp likes his midfielders to take on multiple roles in the centre of the park and with an energetic approach at both ends of the field, the 23-year-old could be a perfect fit at Anfield.
Mason Mount
Gallagher’s Chelsea and England team-mate Mason Mount is another to be frequently linked with a switch from West London to Merseyside.
It is conceivable that the Blues could sell both players to their Premier League rivals, with Mount likely to feature in a more attacking berth compared to Gallagher.
Though it has been a frustrating season for the Three Lions regular with just three goals, there is no doubting the Champions League winner’s quality when on top form.
Ryan Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch arrived at Bayern Munich from Ajax last summer with a burgeoning reputation — but things have not gone to plan for the 20-year-old in Bavaria so far.
The Dutch creator has struggled to win over both Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel with the German giants, starting only once in the Bundesliga this term to date.
Displacing Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka in Bayern’s midfield appears a difficult task, so he may fancy a fresh start on Merseyside.
Matheus Nunes
Another player strongly linked with Liverpool after just a year at his current club is Wolves’ Portuguese maestro Matheus Nunes.
The Reds were supposedly keen on the Brazil-born ace before the West Midlands club broke their transfer record to bring him to Molineux last summer.
After a slow start to Premier League life, the 24-year-old has become a key man under Julen Lopetegui and opened his Wolves account with a stunning winner against Chelsea earlier this month.
