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Liverpool are on the market for new signings already as they hope to get their season back on track
Liverpool are on the market for new midfield options in 2026 to relieve some of the pressure being felt by the current engine room.
Two years ago, the Reds were forced to spend their entire summer budget on new midfielders, following the departure of five senior figures. Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were both sold to Saudi Arabia, while James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita left as free agents.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch have become key figures at Anfield but there is now a lot of pressure on the reliable trio. Injuries have also presented themselves already this season and reports have suggested Liverpool are on the market for a new midfielder to boost options.
Liverpool could target ‘confident’ Premier League midfielder
The Belgium international is currently on the radar of Manchester United, who failed to sign him last summer when he left Everton for £50 million. A move from Liverpool could rub their Merseyside rivals up the wrong way, though.
Onana has impressed fans and pundits alike since his move to Villa Park, and he has become a regular under Unai Emery. Following his debut last season, Youri Tielemans said Onana was ‘full of confidence’ in his first appearance, and confidence seems to be something Liverpool are lacking right now.
Far too many performances have looked shaky and unconvincing from the Reds this campaign. Arne Slot has already made the swift decision to axe Milos Kerkez, who has looked far from comfortable at his new club. Even the team’s more reliable players have looked nervous, so injecting some confidence into the side could help boost results and morale.
Onana earned high praise for his latest performance against Bournemouth, which included his first goal of the season.
Praising Onana in his Team of the Week column for BBC Sport, Troy Deeney said: “A massive 4-0 performance from Aston Villa against a very good Bournemouth side and he was at the heart of it. Breaking things up, gliding through the midfield with those big powerful legs.”
Why did Amadou Onana leave Everton?
If Liverpool do pursue Onana, it may frustrate Everton to see him return to Merseyside, but for their rivals.
The Toffees sold the midfielder as they focused on staying on the right side of PSR rules, desperate to avoid a repeat of their previous breaches. Onana was a regular for Everton and letting him go likely wasn’t a decision made lightly.
His sister and agent Melissa recently revealed the project at Aston Villa was a big lure for Onana, which would allow him to continue to develop. Liverpool could be viewed in a similar light, should the midfielder want to further boost his chances of challenging for silverware.
“Aston Villa’s sporting project was crystal clear. It was a project where Amadou could continue to develop. We spoke with the sporting director, and the salary was also attractive, let’s not kid ourselves,” Melissa told journalist Sacha Tavolieri, via Everton News.
“The Euros were coming up, Amadou was performing well, and we finalised the deal. Then, Manchester United entered the picture. But I had already given my word to Aston Villa.
“We knew very well that Manchester would be able to offer better financial terms, but we had already given our word to Aston Villa, and the project was a good fit. The style of football played, the club’s ambition: Amadou felt right at home there.”
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