Liverpool Transfers: Why Youri Tielemans should be top midfield target

Liverpool have watched club legend Gini Wijnaldum leave this summer as a free agent, as he is on his way to FC Barcelona. Now, the Reds must consider his replacement, which would ideally be an up-and-coming player.

There are a number of credible options in midfield, with Brighton’s Yves Bissouma being one of the prominent ones in the Premier League. Some fans are even dreaming of Dortmund youngster Jude Bellingham, who impressed in his first season in a top league.

But for my money, Youri Tielemans should be the top target. The Belgian is set to have a huge European Championship tournament, given his importance to the national team squad in midfield. Tielemans could be the guy who gives Belgium a major boost with injury questions surrounding superstars Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard.

Beyond the Euro factor, Tielemans is coming off a sensational season at Leicester City. Although the Foxes stumbled in the top-four race once again, they did win the FA Cup, with Tielemans playing a huge role in their success.

Youri Tielemans could become a world-class midfielder at Liverpool

Statistically, Tielemans was dominant. Beyond his 10 total goal contributions in the Premier League, the 24-year-old averaged 1.3 key passes per game and 1.4 fouls drawn per game, according to WhoScored.com. And per the site, he had 2.3 tackles per game and 1.2 interceptions per game to provide Leicester with significant defensive contributions.

You won’t find many better midfielders in all of Europe than Tielemans, who has all the tools needed to replace Wijnaldum. He is a strong defender and a potentially world-class center midfielder offensively, and Liverpool really do need his creativity and goal-scoring upside in the final third.

Wijnaldum’s shoes are tough to fill, but Tielemans is one of the few young players in midfield capable of accomplishing this task. He would cost a TON of money. I have to be honest there. Leicester know how valuable he is, and he stands to increase in value during the Euros this summer. Nevertheless, Liverpool need to keep a close eye on him, because they need to start paying for quality on the transfer market again.

It could all depend on the outgoing sales, but Youri Tielemans is the caliber of midfielder who should be at the top of the wishlist. I’m not saying he is a “must-sign”, because I know the realities of the economic situation. But if Liverpool want someone who can transform their midfield again for the next five years, then Tielemans is that guy.