Liverpool have been linked with a move for AS Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
What's the story?
According to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, the Anfield outfit have already lodged a £25.8 million bid to sign the 24-year-old this summer.
The report goes on to claim that Pellegrini wants to remain at his boyhood over the coming months. However, a separate story in The Mirror revealed that new Roma boss Jose Mourinho intends to bring his own midfielders to the Stadio Olimpico and that the club captain is yet to agree to terms on a new deal.
Edwards must swoop
Gini Wijnaldum's exit after five successful years at Liverpool leaves the need for a direct replacement in Jurgen Klopp's first-team squad.
The Dutch international featured in all 38 Premier League games last season, and the Reds require someone of similar quality and reliability to succeed him.
Several names, such as Saul Niguez and Florian Neuhaus, have been linked with doing just that, but perhaps the most realistic prospect is Pellegrini.
Mourinho's arrival in the Italian capital is expected to bring mass changes to the Giallorossi, with Arsenal's Granit Xhaka heavily linked with a move to the Serie A giants.
And his arrival could spell the end for Pellegrini, who is set to enter the final 12 months of his current contract.
The Italy international made 47 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 11 goals and providing a further nine assists, and his impressive displays have earned high praise from club legend Francesco Totti in the past.
“I am not surprised by the development of Pellegrini. As I always know, Lorenzo is a phenomenal player. Now, everything depends on him to continue to be at this level," said Totti.
His departure from Rome could be a big loss for Mourinho. Pellegrini recorded the joint-second highest amount of assists in the Italian top-flight in 2020/21 amongst his teammates, 1.9 key passes per game, more than any other Roma player, and an impressive 7.23 WhoScored rating, a figure only bettered by Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Wijnaldum's exit will undoubtedly come as a blow to Liverpool's chances of regaining the Premier League title next season, but bringing in Pellegrini would certainly ease the pain, and director of football Michael Edwards must swoop for the young star.
And, in other news...Edwards masterstroke: LFC could seal their next Coutinho in “exceptional” £17.5m gem