In terms of outgoing transfers, Liverpool had a busy previous summer window with the likes of Harry Wilson, Xherdan Shaqiri, Taiwo Awoniyi and Marko Grujic leaving the club.

One player that also left the Merseyside club at the end of last season after making a total of 237 appearances for the Reds was Georginio Wijnaldum who joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer after deciding not to sign a new contract at Liverpool.

As for incoming transfers, Liverpool only signed defender Ibrahima Konate last summer and not a replacement for Wijnaldum or any of the other players they let go in the same window.

With that in mind, it seems as though the Merseyside club have their eyes on signing a new midfielder to their squad that we feel could be a good replacement for the departed Dutchman.

What's the news?

It has recently been reported by Fichajes (via Sport Witness) that Liverpool are eyeing a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino as a potential alternative to Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, who the club have been linked with in recent weeks.

Merino joined Sociedad back in the 2018 summer transfer window from Premier League club Newcastle United after making just 25 appearances for the Magpies.

[snack-amp-story url = "https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/check-out-the-latest-liverpool-news" title="Check out the latest Liverpool news!"]

Wijnaldum heir

Since leaving the north-east of England, the 25-year-old, who is currently valued at £36m according to Transfermarkt, has made 128 appearances for the La Liga side in which he has managed to rack up 15 goals and 14 assists in the process.

That shows how useful he can be in front of goal in midfield, producing similar numbers to Wijnaldum who scored 22 goals and provided 16 assists during his time at Anfield.

However, Merino could even be an upgrade on the club's former Dutch enforcer. He currently has a higher attacking, creativity, defending, tactical and technical rating than Wijnaldum according to SofaScore.

That backs up what Sociedad youngster Benat Turrientes said about him in the past when he described the Spaniard as a player that "has everything" in his game. Consequently, we feel that he could be an excellent heir and a long-term replacement for the former Reds hero.

Either way, we definitely feel that in the next transfer window, FSG should be looking to bring in a new central midfielder, not only as a replacement for Wijnaldum but also as a potential long-term replacement for some of their older midfield options such as James Milner, Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson.

This is a deal that simply has to be completed by the Reds' hierarchy.

In other news: Forget Alisson: £100k-p/w Liverpool dud who lost possession x13 let Klopp down v WHU - opinion