Liverpool won the 2024/25 Premier League title despite having only limited quality options in midfield.
The load was heavy on Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones – with Wataru Endo occasionally fielded as a “closer”.
As the season wore on, the toll began to tell on Gravenberch in particular, and it seemed during the run-in that the Reds could do with another top-class performer in the middle.
A move for Martin Zubimendi didn’t come off – with Gravenberch taking over as No6 – and links to midfielders have continued throughout the past year.
Associations with Nicolo Rovella, Angelo Stiller and others have come and gone but it’s clear that the Reds’ recruiters have their eyes on adding numbers in the midfield.
Liverpool still chasing midfielders
Anfieldwatch has also provided details on the club’s interest in Samuel Ricci, Nico Gonzalez and Mikel Jauregizar. Ricci has since joined AC Milan, Gonzalez has gone to Manchester City while Jauregizar has signed a bumper new deal with Athletic Club.
Another name on the list has been Orkun Kokcu.
The Benfica No10 is a familiar face for Arne Slot, who utilised the Dutch-born Turkey international as club captain during Feyenoord’s 2022/23 Eredivisie title-winning campaign.
The 24-year-old is coming off the back of another stellar season in Portugal and now looks set for the next step in his career.
Kokcu favours Liverpool move
According to a new report in Caught Offside Manchester United, Tottenham, Inter Milan – and Turkey’s big three of Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas have got their eyes on the midfielder this summer.
But there is one more club in running – and it’s the one which Kokcu prefers. Liverpool are that team – with Kokcu previously describing Slot as a father figure.
The report also adds that Benfica would settle for a €40m deal for Kokcu – who is under contract until 2028.
Kokcu a stablemate of Kerkez and Chiesa
Kokcu got seven goals and seven assists for Benfica in the Portuguese top flight last season – usually from his central midfield station.
However he has also got the versatility to play at No10 as well as occasionally at holding midfield. Kokcu is also a member of the LIAN Sports agency – which also has Milos Kerkez and Federico Chiesa on its books.