Everyone at Football FanCast is devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. We are sending our thoughts and prayers to their friends, families, teammates and loved ones.
Liverpool haven’t made any midfield signings this summer after Jurgen Klopp’s successful rebuild of 2023, welcoming Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo to the squad.
One of the hallmarks of FSG’s ownership has been expertly planned transfer activity, with the Reds rarely missing the mark as they make shrewd signings or offload a player who has struggled to perform as they once did.
Last summer, Liverpool were expected to invest heavily after Klopp decided to call time on his historic career as the club’s manager, but Federico Chiesa was the only addition, joining for a cut-price £12.5m fee as he approached the final year of his contract with Juventus.
Liverpool went against the grain of public opinion, content with their fold, but they did try to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, only to fail to convince the Spain international to leave Basque Country.
Why Liverpool wanted Martin Zubimendi
When Fabinho and Jordan Henderson left Liverpool to go to Saudi Arabia in deals which combined for a total of £52m, it was crucial that Liverpool bolstered their ranks with new quality.
They might have missed out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, both joining Chelsea in high-profile moves, but Liverpool won’t regret such misses in hindsight.
Mac Allister and Endo held down the fort remarkably well, but one year on, a recognised starting number six was needed to fit Slot’s system, and Zubimendi fit the bill.
However, the 26-year-old rejected Liverpool’s advances, with his imminent transfer to Arsenal frustrating to witness. However, the failed attempt has been tempered considerably by Ryan Gravenberch’s meteoric rise.
Matches (starts)
26 (12)
37 (37)
Goals
1
0
Assists
0
4
Touches*
28.8
66.5
Pass completion
83%
89%
Key passes*
0.6
0.7
Dribbles*
0.9
1.0
Ball recoveries*
2.8
5.2
Tackles + interceptions*
1.5
3.5
Duels (won)*
2.8 (47%)
5.0 (57%)
Gravenberch was incredible in a new role across the 2024/25 campaign, refashioned by Slot.
However, there’s no question that he looked tired toward the end of the term, and thus it’s understandable that Liverpool sign a new midfielder to contest for that starting spot in the deep-lying midfield berth.
Liverpool submit bid for new midfielder
According to reports from Spain, Liverpool have joined Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen in submitting official offers for Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado.
The 21-year-old, who graduated from the famed La Masia academy, has become a household name over the past year at Camp Nou, with his silky performances in the centre in turn drawing suitors who might be looking to take advantage of Hansi Flick’s packed midfield.
Indeed, valued at €40m (£35m), Barcelona are expected to consider the bids as they look to ease their ongoing financial problems.
Transfer Focus
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Why Liverpool want Marc Casado
Casado is at the start of a promising career, with his intelligence, technical quality on the ball and passion in defensive phases suggesting he could be a fantastic addition to a Liverpool squad already well stocked in midfield.
Praised for his “incredible season” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Casado battled his way into prominent standing within Flick’s first-team squad, clinching the La Liga title in his first term as a regular.
He started 27 matches across La Liga and the Champions League last season, instrumental in establishing this new era at La Blaugrana. Injury cut his season short, however, with the setback playing into the current rumours, for Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Marc Bernal have all played important parts since.
He impressed with his calculated passing and confidence in winning possession back, completing 90% of his passes and winning 58% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore.
With such a skill set, Liverpool might finally be able to sign their own version of Zubimendi, one whose younger and less developed skills could be wrought into the shape that Slot desires.
His long ball-playing style certainly differs from Gravenberch’s, ranked as he was among the top 7% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues last term for passes attempted, the top 8% for pass completion, the top 10% for assists and the top 9% for tackles per 90, as per FBref.
In this manner, his similarities with Arsenal-bound Zubimendi are underscored.
Liverpool have already run checks on a more refined version of the two-cap Spain international, who is his compatriot besides, and thus will be confident that they would get their mitts on the right type of player in Casado, one who could jockey for a starting berth with Gravenberch over the coming years.
He’s scarcely into his professional career, but already Casado has demonstrated that his talents are best utilised from that deep midfield role, though his passing and athleticism lend themselves to a makeshift right-back service, if and when called upon.
Deep-lying midfield
100
1
6
Right-back
11
–
2
Central midfield
5
–
–
Zubimendi would have been a brilliant addition, but it wasn’t to be. Former Spain manager, Luis de la Fuente, described the La Real star as one of the “best central midfielders in the world” after his part in winning his nation the EURO 2024.
However, Casado would be a cheaper addition with immense potential to reach and then eclipse his countryman’s level. Liverpool have plenty of midfield options and thus won’t bear much frustration over missing out on Zubimendi, who will cost the Gunners something in the region of £51m.
Though FSG won’t be focusing on strengthening Liverpool’s midfield in the transfer market this summer, there’s no question that if the right opportunity arises, Hughes will push ahead to secure a shrewd signing.
And Casado could prove an astute addition indeed, with the Reds already placing an official offer as they look to tempt the Spanish champions to cash in.
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