Liverpool could sign two of Declan Rice, Mason Mount and Jude Bellingham in 2023.
What's the talk?
That's according to Dean Jones, with the transfer insider revealing in a recent interview with Football FanCast that, while it would appear almost impossible for Jurgen Klopp's side to land all three of Rice, Mount and Bellingham - all of whom have been linked with the Reds in recent weeks - there is a very real possibility that Liverpool land two of the three midfielders.
Regarding the club's interest in the midfield trio, Jones said: "We know that Liverpool are about to undergo a midfield overhaul, but I think we're already entering silly season if we're talking about Bellingham, Mount and Rice all joining Liverpool - that is absolutely not going to happen. One of them might, possibly two."
Alonso & Mascherano 2.0
Considering just how impressive both Rice and Bellingham have been for their respective clubs so far this season, should Liverpool be able to land both of the generational midfield talents next year, Klopp could well have formed the club's next Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano-esque pairing in the middle of the park.
Indeed, over Rice's 15 Premier League fixtures in the current campaign, the 23-year-old has been Mascherano-esque in his marshalling of the midfield, with the £69m-rated talent making an average of 2.4 tackles, 1.6 interceptions, 1.3 clearances and winning 4.2 duels - at a success rate of 61% - per game.
The £60k-per-week star has also caught the eye in an attacking capacity, having bagged one goal, provided two assists and created two big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 1.2 shots, making 1.3 key passes, being successful with 0.5 dribbles and completing 55.5 passes - at a success rate of 90% - per game.
These returns have seen the England international average an astonishing SofaScore match rating of 7.27, not only ranking him as West Ham United's best performer in the league but also as the joint 16th-best player in the English top flight as a whole.
Meanwhile, over Bellingham's 15 Bundesliga appearances this season, the £216m-rated starlet has been Alonso-esque in his playmaking, scoring three goals, providing two assists and creating four big chances, as well as taking an average of 2.1 shots, making 1.1 key passes, being successful with 2.0 dribbles and completing 42.8 passes - at a success rate of 83% - per game.
The £27k-per-week talent has also impressed when doing the dirty work, making an average of 3.2 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, 1.1 clearances and winning 9.7 duels - at a success rate of 63% - per game.
These returns have seen the 19-year-old average a breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.38, not only ranking him as Borussia Dortmund's best performer in the league but also as the joint seventh-best player in the German top flight as a whole.
As such, while it is undeniable that the potential £70m signing of Rice and the possible £100m signing of Bellingham is a colossal amount of money to spend on two players in the same transfer window, the reward could be remarkable for Liverpool, with the English duo undoubtedly possessing the potential to go on and become the next Alonso and Mascherano at Anfield.