Liverpool have been linked with several players across Europe in order to strengthen the team. Manager Jurgen Klopp has understood that the squad needs plenty of strength in depth – especially with European football around the corner – and the club have identified Roma’s Leandro Paredes as the top transfer target.

The 22-year-old has been a key player for Roma this season. Apart from contributing in the defensive side of things, the defensive midfielder has managed to score three goals in 22 appearances in the Serie A.

In many ways, he could be the perfect replacement for Lucas Leiva, who may have gone beyond his expiry date at Anfield. Lucas was linked with an exit from Liverpool even last summer, but the midfielder recently opened up on Jurgen Klopp blocking the move. Lack of players capable of replacing Lucas appears to have been one of the key reasons, and bringing in Paredes will allow Liverpool to part company with the Brazilian. In doing so, they will be bringing another South American into the team.

Paredes has a contract with Roma until the summer of 2019. The cash-strapped outfit are keen on selling Paredes in order to raise funds for strengthening the team in other areas of the pitch. It is expected that Roma will demand around £22 million for the player, according to Italian source Calciomercato.

Paredes has been at Roma since 2014, but the Italian outfit have not made him an immediate starter. He has been on loan at various clubs over the last few years. His latest loan spell was with Empoli. After making a successful return to the team, he has managed to establish himself as one of the key figures in Luciano Spalletti’s team, which has been challenging for the title alongside Juventus.

While Liverpool’s attack has been one of the strong points this season, the club has been badly let down by a weak defence which has conceded a whopping 36 goals – the highest amongst the top six teams in the Premier League. Apart from strengthening the back four, manager Klopp has also identified the need to strengthen the defensive midfield. This is especially required considering that midfielder Emre Can has also been linked with a move away from Anfield.

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