Liverpool make release-clause bid for midfielder who can bring goals for Klopp
Liverpool have reportedly made a £25.8m bid for Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini as they look for a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum.
Wijnaldum looks all set to officially sign for Paris Saint-Germain after Mauricio Pochettino reportedly called the Dutch midfielder. Wijnaldum’s contract officially expires this month, but he confirmed last month he was leaving Anfield.
Barcelona had looked to be his destination, but they are unwilling to raise their salary offer for Wijnaldum. Fabrizio Romano has claimed the 30-year-old has opted for Paris with a salary double that of what Barca had offered.
That leaves Jurgen Klopp needing to fill a big hole in his midfield. Wijnaldum made 34 starts in the Premier League, and even captained the side on numerous occasions towards the end of the season.
His goals (two) may be easy to replicate, but his steadying influence and hard work off the ball may be harder to find.
Liverpool though have made a move for Pellegrini to replace him, according to a report from the print edition of Corriere dello Sport.
The Roma man has a €30m release clause in his current contract. And Liverpool have activated that with an equivalent £25.8m bid.
Pellegrini is entering the final year of his contract and Roma and will be a free agent next summer.
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Pellegrini contract running down
Roma will want to avoid losing their skipper for free. And Liverpool have a track record of buying from the Serie A side.
Liverpool have taken Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker from them in recent years.
The Daily Mirror have pushed Pellegrini’s move to Liverpool in the past and Jose Mourinho is being tipped to overhaul his midfield.
Pellegrini looks likely to be one of those moved on with no new agreement on a new contract.
He will be a welcome addition at Anfield with 11 goals and nine assists in all competitions last season.
Klopp tried to add more goals to his midfield last summer with the addition of Thiago Alcantara. The Spaniard though had a difficult start to life in the Premier League with just one goal and zero assists.
READ MORE: Klopp convinced Thiago will come good
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