An update has emerged on Liverpool and their interest in Kouadio Kone during the current January transfer window...

What's the talk?

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Reds are one of a number of teams tracking the talented Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder.

He Tweeted: "Many top clubs are following French big talent Manu Kone. Been told summer is move most likely plan for player, agents and ‘Gladbach.

"FC Bayern, Newcastle, PSG and also Liverpool (Bellingham remains their n1 priority) are well informed on Kone’s situation."

Earlier this season, the printed edition of Sport Bild, via GFNG, reported that Monchengladbach are looking for a fee of at least €45m (£40m) for the Frenchman and it remains to be seen whether or not FSG are willing to sanction a deal at that price.

Gini Wijnaldum's heir

Liverpool have never really replaced the consistent presence that Gini Wijnaldum provided in the heart of their midfield and the issues with Jurgen Klopp's midfield have been clear to see this season.

The likes of Thiago, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Harvey Elliott, and James Milner have all been chopped and changed, with no player starting more than 13 times in central midfield in the Premier League.

During his five years at Anfield, Wijnaldum played 33 or more league matches in every single season for the Reds and only missed one game during his final two campaigns with the club.

The Dutchman was a reliable passer, with a career pass accuracy of 88.5%, and chipped in defensively, with 1.5 tackles and interceptions per game throughout his career, for Liverpool in midfield.

Kone is a similar player in the sense that he is not a goalscoring or creative type in that position but he is a composed passer who can also mix it up and win possession back for his side.

In the Bundesliga this season, the 21-year-old has completed 87% of his attempted passes and made 2.9 tackles and interceptions per match for Gladbach.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig once dubbed the gem a "monstrous" player in the making and described Kone as a"one-man army" after a match against Bayern Munich in 2021/22, which is backed up by his impressive defensive statistics this term.

He has also started 14 of his club's 15 Bundesliga matches under Daniel Farke this season, after breaking into the team and making 25 starts in 2021/22, and this indicates that he has the potential to be a reliable and consistent presence in midfield like Wijnaldum was for Liverpool.

Therefore, Klopp can finally replace the Dutchman, who left the club in the summer of 2021, by swooping to sign Kone this month or in the summer.