Liverpool need to shake up their midfield options.

The Reds have been relying on the same cast of midfield characters for a couple of seasons now. And it was clear under Arne Slot during the 2025/26 season that the club were getting diminishing returns from some in the ranks.

Advertisement

Alexis Mac Allister has been beneath his best for over a year while Ryan Gravenberch hasn’t looked the same since winning the 2024/25 Premier League title.

Therefore Richard Hughes has been associated with a move for a new starting midfielder.

Bouaddi now worth €100m

It could be a No6 which would free up Gravenberch to play further forward or else a natural No8 who could bring the best out of Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

One of the names linked over the last few transfer windows has been Ayyoub Bouaddi. The teenager – who plays for Lille in Ligue 1 – has enjoyed a startling rise over the last couple of seasons.

Advertisement

It all culminated in a key role for Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup – leading to intense transfer speculation around the young schemer.

Man City move closer to Ayyoub Bouaddi deal

Manchester City have been heavily linked with a move for the French-born conductor – with suggestions that a deal was already in place.

But Liverpool insider David Lynch is REFUSING to give up – stating to Anfield Index that the outgoing Premier League champions are still in the race.

Describing the transfer battle as still being in its early days Lynch added that Liverpool cannot yet be ruled out of the race for the teen sensation who is now rated at €100m by his club per various reports.

Advertisement

Liverpool still possible for Bouaddi

“Definitely a player Liverpool admire and had done before the World Cup,” he said.

“I think it’s not been helpful for their interest just how good of a World Cup he’s had.

“I just think it’s pushed the price up even further. It has pushed the price into the kind of realms of prices that maybe Manchester City are slightly more willing to pay for a younger player than Liverpool would be.

“It’s still early days in that one. I don’t think we’re in the place where we can completely rule them out.”

Outgoings inevitable

In order to accommodate new arrivals however it looks certain that a midfielder will have to move out. Mac Allister has been linked with a move to Real Madrid – with a contract expiring in 2028 and no sign of a new deal on the horizon.

Advertisement

Curtis Jones meanwhile could be moving to Inter Milan if the Italian champions can get enough money together.

And other fringe players – such as Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic may also be on their way to new clubs with only one year left on their respective deals.

“The big thing you can say about midfield and coming to Liverpool is that it’s going to take some outgoing,” Lynch admits.

“For midfield movement you’re going to need to see outgoings. Maybe if you do see an outgoing, maybe they kind of come a bit stronger for Bouaddi.

“The one thing I do know about this is that he’s a player that they like.”