Liverpool midfield target wanted by Barcelona in surprise deadline day move

Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat, who was linked with a move to Liverpool earlier in the January transfer window, has emerged as a target for Barcelona as the La Liga giants look to shore up their midfield.

According to Gerard Romero of Jijantes FC, Barcelona want to sign the Liverpool target on a six-month loan deal with an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season. Earlier this month, Corriere dello Sport (via Liverpool Echo) revealed that Jurgen Klopp was 'pushing' to sign the Moroccan midfielder, who played a starring role for the Atlas Lions at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

While the Reds never made a concrete move for the player, it now appears Barcelona have stolen a march on the 26-year-old as they face a race against time to complete the deal before the transfer window slams shut. Football Italia claim Amrabat has a price tag of over €30m, so it remains to be seen if Barcelona manage to get this one over the line considering their financial situation.

ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT

Sofyan Amrabat was absolutely outstanding at the 2022 FIFA World Cup as he functioned as the heartbeat of Walid Regragui's Moroccan side that made a dream run to the semi-final. Jurgen Klopp reportedly met his agent and older brother Nordin to hold talks about a potential transfer, but those links slowly dissipated after the transfer window officially opened on the 1st of January.

The 26-year-old is an out-and-out defensive midfielder - something Liverpool could really do with at the moment due to Fabinho's poor form, but Barcelona have made a late move for Amrabat and it remains to be seen if they snap him up before the transfer deadline.

In any case, Jurgen Klopp confirmed after the 2-1 FA Cup defeat against Brighton that Liverpool will not sign any more players after Cody Gakpo, so Barcelona look like they have a free run at the player.