Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is targeting West Ham star Declan Rice who has been labelled as "one of the best in Europe" by his manager David Moyes.
What's the talk?
According to a Football Insider source, Klopp now personally wants to sign a 'top-class' central midfielder this summer and Rice is one of a number of targets on his list.
The 23-year old is highly rated and has been key to West Ham's recent successes, he captains the side most weeks with club skipper Mark Noble not usually featuring.
If Liverpool are to sign him they will need deep pockets as Moyes has put a price tag of £150m on the Englishman.
He's better than Thiago
Liverpool have one of the best teams in the Premier League and it's why they are currently battling it out at the top with reigning champions Manchester City.
If they were to sign Rice, one of the players he would be competing with for a place in the starting XI is Thiago.
The Spain international moved to Merseyside in 2020 for £20m from Bayern and he's a serial winner. However, he is almost 31-years old and if the Reds want to keep competing they need younger players.
At 23 Rice can be that, and he also has some of the best stats in the league. His shooting is almost identical to Thiago's but some of his passing numbers are better.
The England international has a pass completion percentage of 90.1% compared to Thiago's 88.4%. He also beats him in possession with 214 progressive carries compared to 111.
He has made more appearances than the Spaniard this season, but he still ranks in the top 1% of all Premier League midfielders when it comes to interceptions and total carrying distance.
With that in mind, it's clear to see why Moyes claims he offers an "explosion" to the side.
Rice is vital for West Ham when it comes to winning back possession quickly, which is a must for any potential Klopp player.
If Liverpool were to make a move for him it would improve their squad greatly, and with captain Jordan Henderson also the wrong side of 30, we think he could make a great future captain at Anfield.
They may have to smash their transfer record for him, but it would be worth it.