Liverpool Transfers: 3 possible replacements for Gini Wijnaldum

Brighton CM Yves Bissouma

A real breakout star in the Premier League, Yves Bissouma is a preferred target for many Kopites, and, like Houssem Aouar, he is going to be on the radar of several competitors within England. Bissouma proved this season at Brighton that he has what it takes to compete at the highest level, and he seems like the kind of player who can make the step up to a bigger club, much like Gini Wijnaldum did after his marquee move from Newcastle United to Liverpool.

Bissouma is just 24 years old and has the upside to develop into a borderline world-class center midfielder for the Reds, and that would certainly be ideal for Jurgen Klopp. When you watch Bissouma play, you can tell that he brings all the traits in midfield that Klopp wants. He is a ball-winner who can start attacks and do a lot of the work that’s needed on both ends of the pitch, making him a very good replacement for Wijnaldum.

But he’s a lot more defensive, which makes for an interesting addition to the likes of Fabinho, Thiago, and Jordan Henderson. Per WhoScored.com, Bissouma averaged a whopping 2.9 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per game this past season, making him one of the best defensive-focused midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues.

Offensively, he was an asset with 1.5 dribbles completed per game, and that’s a number that could shoot up noticeably at a club like Liverpool. Bissouma, on paper, seems like the kind of player who would blossom into a fan favorite at Anfield. He should be high on Klopp’s wishlist.