According to Le10Sport, Liverpool have entered the race to sign Boubakary Soumare.

What's the story?

The Lille midfielder has been linked with a move during the past few weeks, with Chelsea and Tottenham (L'Equipe via Sport Witness) both interested. Meanwhile, Manchester United have sent scouts to watch the 20-year-old in action.

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However, this latest report states that Liverpool are now looking at bringing him to Anfield. It is unknown, though, whether this would be now or during the summer.

The man for all roles

Reds fans may have seen the France U21 international in action against Chelsea in the Champions League this season at Stamford Bridge. Les Dogues were unable to get anything out of the game but were only defeated 2-1, and Soumare stood out. He managed five dribbles during that clash, which was the second-highest number amongst his teammates, whilst he also amassed four interceptions and four clearances.

Soumare has been compared to Paul Pogba and was also targeted by Manchester City in 2018 as they looked for a long-term Yaya Toure replacement. At his current age, he is still raw - he has a WhoScored rating of just 6.41 so far this term in Ligue 1, for example - but his 90.2% passing accuracy and 1.1 dribbles per match indicate that he is more than just a deep-lying midfielder.

The comparisons with Pogba are still to be fulfilled, but the physical attributes and ability are there. Now, he just needs to progress into the player so many think he can become. Lille manager Christopher Galtier believes that he is playing at just 40% of his potential right now. With Jurgen Klopp as his boss, he may progress at a far faster rate. Some very good midfielders have improved under the 52-year-old - just look at Jordan Henderson, who was recently named England Men's Player of the Year and is a Champions League-winning captain.

At 29, it remains to be seen how long the former Sunderland man has at the top of the game, but here is a midfielder who would be a perfect replacement. Like Henderson, Soumare has the ability to play both in defensive midfield and further forward. Perhaps his defensive ability, the area where he needs the most work, would be more suited to a central midfield position instead of a defensive one. With Fabinho as the anchor behind him, his full potential could be unleashed. So far this season, Soumare has made 1.1 tackles per match in the French top-flight - a record that can be improved upon.

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With the likes of Sepp van den Berg and Harvey Elliott having joined recently, Klopp is clearly planning for the future. Soumare's arrival - which could be as much as £50m, as touted in December - would be the latest example of that.

Elsewhere, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's claims about "direct" Liverpool are right.