Liverpool are likely to be in the market for a new midfielder during 2026 as they look to refresh their options.
The Reds have been shockingly easy to play through this season, with question marks over their balance in the middle of the pitch.
Although there are some world-class midfielders within the Liverpool squad, something clearly is not working right now.
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More pace, power and legs are needed, and that should be what the Liverpool recruitment team are looking at ahead of the 2026 transfer windows.
RB Leipzig youngster Assan Ouedraogo is proving to have all three of those attributes having exploded onto the scene this season. And as the 19-year-old builds up a head of steam in the Bundesliga, Liverpool are reportedly plotting a swoop.
Liverpool scouts keeping tabs on Assan Ouedraogo
Liverpool were linked with Ouedraogo as he was coming through at Schalke during the 2023/24 campaign.
Standing at almost 6 feet 4 inches, the teenager is an imposing figure who looks set to have a big future in the game.
Assan Ouedraogo runs with the ball during RB Leipzig's Bundesliga match against Werder Bremen at Red Bull Arena.
Photo by RONNY HARTMANN / AFP via Getty Images
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He has had to be patient since joining Leipzig in 2024, with a serious injury ruling him out for most of the 24/25 season. Now back fit, Ouedraogo has been pulling up some trees.
After becoming a regular starter for Ole Werner’s team, the former Schalke man scored on his German national team debut during the November international break as well.
Ouedraogo followed that up with another goal last weekend for Leipzig, and Sport BILD report that his good form has attracted interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Liverpool are said to be one of them, with Reds scouts travelling to watch Ouedraogo play in recent weeks. Signed for less than £10m, it’s claimed that Leipzig would ask for more than £88m for any club to sign their latest gem in 2026.
Who is reported Liverpool target Assan Ouedraogo?
Germany's Assan Ouedraogo in action during their FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Slovakia at Red Bull Arena.
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
“Assan is intelligent, athletic and has excellent technical training. In addition, his dynamism means he has a lot of forward momentum, meaning he can often create dangerous goal-scoring situations or even score a goal himself”
Former RB Leipzig sporting director Rouven Schroder for Bundesliga.com
Ouedraogo was told not to join Liverpool
Although some fans may not have heard of him, Ouedraogo will not be a new name for the Liverpool recruitment team.
The Reds were seemingly very keen on snapping up the midfield prodigy from Schalke in 2024, but according to reports at the time, Ouedraogo’s father did not think Liverpool was the right step.
“Assan Ouedraogo’s father has a key role in this transfer saga,” German journalist Christian Falk reported in January 2024.
“What I have heard is that the family is thinking a step into another league like the Premier League would be a step too much for him. He’s a very young player. The same goes for Bayern or Liverpool.”
Having bridged the gap in Leipzig, it looks very much like Ouedraogo’s next step will now be to a top club.
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