Liverpool are believed to be battling with two of Europe’s biggest clubs for the signing of highly-rated PSV Eindhoven and Austria midfielder Paul Wanner.
The Reds’ midfield has been a big problem so far this season, even though Andoni Iraola recently said there are other reasons for their struggles there:
“It’s not a matter of just the midfielders. For me, it’s more collective than the midfielders. When we’ve been good collectively, the midfielders have looked a lot better and have recovered more duels and have won more balls. But it’s not just because they are winning duels; because they played better today, it’s because we are helping them more to win the duels.”
There was plenty of frustration at no midfielders arriving at Liverpool during the entirety of the summer transfer window, but that simply has to change in 2027.
According to TEAMtalk, the Reds are “ready to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid” for the signing of Wanner in January.
The 21-year-old is “making a big name for himself in Dutch football” and is thought to be “attracting the interest of some of Europe’s elite clubs.”
Paul Wanner could be a superb signing for Liverpool
Wanner is a player with so much long-term potential, already winning seven caps for Austria and once being lauded by former player and now Hoffenheim CEO Holger Sanwald:
“We didn’t know that he would do things like this at the age of 18. Of course. I’m so happy and think he’s one of the greatest talents we have in German football. This is a very hard-working, modest boy from a top family who is incredibly ambitious and plans his next steps very carefully and thoughtfully. Whether at Bayern or Elversberg, he’s impressed me immensely.”
Wanner would add the fresh legs that Liverpool so badly crave in midfield, and hopefully more balance in the middle of the park, at a time when there is a worrying lack of it.
His versatility allows him to play deep, in attacking midfield and on the right wing, and beating Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to his signature would be a big coup.