Liverpool have golden chance to complete dream move for NEXT Ryan Gravenberch

Despite the emergence of Ryan Gravenberch this season, Liverpool will still want to add another midfielder of similar ilk.

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Last summer, Richard Hughes came close to adding Martin Zubimendi to the squad. However, in the end, the Spaniard opted to stay in Spain.

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That was a major disappointment for Liverpool. Zubimendi would have been a dream transfer and someone who could have filled a big gaping void in Slot's squad.

Since then Gravenberch has emerged as a player who has patched that void up. But he is only one player and with Liverpool perpetually competing on all fronts, more ammunition is needed.

But fear not, there is a player who is perfect for Liverpool and the Reds have a golden chance to get him now before anyone else takes notice.

Why Liverpool have a golden chance to get Andy Diouf

One player who has been on Liverpool's radar as per Sports Witness is Andy Diouf. The French U21 midfielder was linked as a player Liverpool were keeping an eye on back in the summer of 2023.

Still at Basel, no move materialised. Diouf has ended up moving onto RC Lens in Ligue 1 and has really kicked on, becoming better than ever.

Only 21-years-old, he leads the league among midfielders for dribbles attempted (3.21 per 90) and progressive runs (3.75 per 90).

As you might have guessed based on that statistic, he is a brilliant ball carrier from midfield, very much in the same way as Ryan Gravenberch, who also thrives in the same areas.

Perhaps it's no surprise that SciSports' database lists Diouf's similarity to the Liverpool midfielder at 99%.

He is a player who is also excellent defensively. Among midfielders who averages at least 5.5 defensive duels per 90, Diouf ranks in the top 10 for success rate (60.82%) and he averages a lot of recoveries as well (5.86 per 90) even more than Gravenberch this season (5.66 per 90).

In one game against Toulouse recently, Diouf made a whopping eight recoveries in the opposition's half, showing how impressive he is at pressing forward and forcing quick turnovers, which would make a him a dream midfielder in Slot's system.

Still very young, Diouf has a lot of raw potential but he's already proving himself at a high level playing at Lens. He's shown he's ready for the next step in his career.

If he was eyed as a first-choice option for Liverpool a move to Anfield might be too soon. However, with Gravenberch having established his role, Liverpool need someone to be his understudy.

Diouf is perfect for that role. He's got the potential to be as good as Gravenberch in a couple of years and be worth a lot more. Right now, Football Transfers value him at around €12.7m, which would make him an absolute bargain.

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It's inevitable a smart club picks him up and double if not triples their money. Liverpool have the chance to swoop in before anyone else does. And they absolutely should.

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