EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool eye in-form La Liga midfielder

Liverpool have their eyes on one of La Liga's most promising midfielders this season. Can they get a deal done?

Liverpool are not entirely done rebuilding their midfield, it seems. The Reds underwent a revolution in the middle in 2023, moving out Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Fabinho to bring in Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Dominik Szoboszlai.

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Together with Curtis Jones, Liverpool have built one of the best midfields in the entire Premier League. If not the best.

But they're not done. Anfield Watch understands that Liverpool have their eyes on Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso.

The 23-year-old American is breaking through as one to watch in Spanish football. Cardoso is a defensive midfielder and an incredibly effective one, averaging around two tackles and two interceptions per game in La Liga this season.

Football Critic data has him winning just shy of six duels per 90 minutes, while they also rate him as one of the most in-form midfielders in Spain.

But there's a catch.

Liverpool like Johnny Cardoso

Tottenham Hotspur boast a first refusal on any deal for Cardoso. They secured it through their sale of Giovanni Lo Celso to Real Betis in the summer.

Details can be found here by the Mirror, and essentially, they can sign Cardoso for around £25m. On top of that, they'll secure a portion of any sale to another club.

Liverpool, then, would put money in the pockets of Spurs if they do decide to sign Cardoso.

But we can't imagine any move would happen in January unless Wataru Endo left. The Japan star has been linked with an exit, though there's no suggestion a departure is imminent.

Thus Liverpool will likely watch Cardoso for the rest of the season and see what happens in the summer. That could change if someone else makes a move for him, however.

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