Liverpool ready to agree €36m transfer to sign NEXT Martin Zubimendi

Liverpool wanted to bring in Martin Zubimendi last summer which didn't work out but now they could sign the next best thing.

There is no denying Arne Slot still needs midfield options to bolster his squad. At this moment in time, Ryan Gravenberch is being overused in the holding midfield position.

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Wataru Endo has come on a few times recently and has definitely started to get more minutes and win the Liverpool head coach over.

But question marks remain whether the Japanese international is a viable long-term option. As useful of a squad player as Endo is, Liverpool need someone who can comfortably deputise for Gravenberch week in week out.

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That's why Richard Hughes wanted to bring in Martin Zubimendi in the last summer transfer window and that is why the club are now looking at an incredible alternative option.

Why Angelo Stiller is the next Martin Zubimendi and why Liverpool are ready to move

The Reds have moved on from the Spaniard and are exploring several alternative options instead. One of those seems to be Angelo Stiller.

According to Bild journalist Christian Falk speaking to Caught Offside, Liverpool continue to monitor Stiller's progress at Stuttgart this season and are big admirers of the midfielder.

Falk claims that Stiller has a release clause of €36m which can be activated in the summer. This makes him a really cost effective option for Liverpool.

The German midfielder is very much in the mould of Zubimendi.

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If we are looking at Zubimendi's biggest strengths as a midfielder, it would be his tenacity and his technical prowess. Zubimendi showcased both of those qualities at Euro 2024, deputising brilliantly for Rodri in the final against England.

Stiller has demonstrated he can similarly effective for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.

This season he ranks in the 98th percentile for progressive passes and in the 92nd percentile for shot-creating-actions as per FBref.

On the ball he's a very progressive midfielder which is the type of midfielder Slot likes to work and which is why the Dutchman was open to bringing Zubimendi into his Liverpool side.

As far as we are aware there aren't too many mountains in Stuttgart which would prevent Stiller from wanting to move to Merseyside either.

So, given Liverpool's interest and the cheap release clause this deal just seems like one that would make sense for the Reds.

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It's definitely something to keep an eye on. Despite the myriad of things Hughes has to sort out in the summer window, bringing in a midfielder will still be a priority for the club.

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