Liverpool Set to Make Major Move for Spanish Star as Clever Solution to Problem Area: Report
Liverpool are making arrangements for a significant bid for a Spanish talent, with Arne Slot aiming to further develop his team.
The Reds have achieved victories in 18 of the Dutchman’s first 20 matches at the helm, including a recent victory of 2-0 over Manchester City, demonstrating that Liverpool are contenders for the title this season. Even more impressively, Slot is achieving this with the same squad that finished third during Jurgen Klopp’s final year in charge.
Slot made just a pair of signings: Federico Chiesa has seen very little action and has been linked with a departure, while Giorgi Mamardashvili is anticipated to join this summer after completing his stint with Valencia.
Liverpool continues to seek a midfielder, with a fresh name on the list
Following Liverpool’s unsuccessful pursuit of Martin Zubimendi, the Merseyside club opted to bide their time in the transfer window and refrained from signing a No.6. Instead, Ryan Gravenberch has been assigned that role.
Gravenberch is reportedly being monitored by Real Madrid, and his links to Aurelien Tchouameni indicate that Slot is still looking for better options in the midfield.
The latest Spanish reports from Fichajes indicate that the club is set to initiate an €80 million bid for Athletic Club midfielder Oihan Sancet. The talented Basque player is highly regarded and has significant development potential, though he hasn’t been previously associated with Premier League teams.
While Sancet can play effectively as a No.10, Liverpool currently has no need for another attacking midfielder, with players like Dominik Szoboszlai, Harvey Elliott, and Curtis Jones occupying that space. Slot’s pursuit of a defensive midfielder suggests he might see Gravenberch as more of an attacking prospect moving forward.
This positions Sancet as an intriguing option for the No.6 role. Similar to fellow Basque Zubimendi, he is highly secure in possession, possesses strong passing capabilities, and carries the ideal temperament for that position on the field.
As per eScored, this is the most plausible position for Sancet, and he could excel there, provided he improves his tackling skills.
The primary challenge for Liverpool will be negotiating with Athletic, who are unlikely to accept a less favorable offer for Sancet, as he possesses a substantial release clause. With both Zubimendi and Nico Williams demonstrating over the summer how challenging it is to attract Basque players away from their native clubs, it is anticipated that this pursuit will not gain momentum until next year.
Sancet is valued at €40 million according to Transfermarkt. Liverpool is set to face Newcastle United later this week when Premier League action resumes.
Why would Sancet be so well-suited to Liverpool?
Within football, a regista refers to a role in the defensive midfield space that can vary based on individual interpretation; however, the mentality and approach of a player in this position is critical.
Mastering the holding midfield position is challenging because of its multifaceted nature and the player’s responsibilities both in possession and out of it. Players who can dictate tempo, like Martin Zubimendi, are exceptionally rare. It’s not a coincidence that Liverpool was unable to find an alternative; they simply couldn’t.
Players like Jorginho have similarly been in high demand from elite clubs throughout his career. Rodri is simply irreplaceable, as we’ve witnessed.
If reports are credible regarding Liverpool identifying Sancet as the potential ‘Golden No.6’ capable of orchestrating play while also disrupting it, he could well play in tandem with Gravenberch. Talented midfielders are abundant, and the Reds taking particular care to ensure the right mental attributes reflect the importance they place on recruitment in this sector.
