Liverpool’s plan for next season’s transfers seem to include a Premier League player for their midfield. The Reds have been linked with moves for Bundesliga stars Mahmoud Dahoud, Christian Pulisic, Julian Brandt and several others. However, reports (The Sun) now claim that the Merseyside club are interested in West Ham star Pedro Obiang.
The 24-year-old had joined the London club only in the summer of 2015 and has gone from strength to strength. Even though West Ham have been struggling to get results, Obiang is one player that has earned rave reviews and it is no surprise that other clubs want to sign him up.
The former Sampdoria man plays as a defensive midfielder and is great with the ball at his feet, something Liverpool require in their playing style. He might not be a like for like replacement for Jordan Henderson or Emre Can but Obiang could turn out to be a useful squad player.
The Reds could make it back into the Champions League next season and they would need quality on their side. Obiang has adjusted well to the English game and that could be a reason why the Merseyside club find it tough to pry him away from West Ham.
Obiang would be a cheap alternative to some of the other options from Germany. Klopp will have to pay £18 million for the midfielder and that is certainly doable but West Ham knows that there are a number of clubs keen on the midfielder and they would want to sell to the highest bidder.
Do Liverpool need Obiang?
Even though the 24-year-old has been great for the Hammers this season, the Reds have a number of other targets on their minds and it does seem highly unlikely that they will move for the former Spanish youth international.
Mahmoud Dahoud seems to be the number one priority, or at least one of the most important players, that Klopp wants and it is a surety that the Reds will bid for the German in the summer. Obiang would be a decent enough squad player but he is enjoying his time in London and shifting again might be too much to ask for at the moment.
Even though the papers say that Klopp is interested in the midfielder, we doubt that it is true. The Reds have been linked with a number of players throughout the season and this could be another tabloid table that won’t see the light of day.
The Reds have major plans for changes in the playing staff next season and Obiang will not be part of it, at least we hope not.
