Liverpool's Alternative Midfield Options To Avoid The Premier League Tax Amid Adam Wharton Interest

It is well known that Liverpool are looking to add at least one new midfielder to their ranks this summer. This is down to a need to replace, with the heavily rumoured exits of Curtis Jones and even, potentially, Alexis Mac Allister.

Adam Wharton was the name most often mentioned in reports, with the English midfielder appearing as Liverpool's top target before Arne Slot's dismissal and Andoni Iraola's appointment.

Whilst managerial change will have an impact on which type of player profile is now targeted by Liverpool, the immense cost attached to the domestic crop of midfielders is also becoming an unavoidable factor.

Wharton has seen his rumoured price tag rise to a whopping £100 million after Crystal Palace's Europa League qualification, whilst Mateus Fernandes (of relegated West Ham United) is said to be valued at £85 million. Most staggering of all, however, is the British transfer record-breaking fee that Nottingham Forest are demanding from Manchester City to complete their pursuit of the Premier League's hottest midfield commodity: Elliot Anderson.

With domestic transfer values inflated, it only makes sense for Liverpool to look to Europe - especially when they have so much work to do across the entirety of the squad. It is imperative this summer that Liverpool spend their money well and fulfill as many of the squad's needs as possible to give the new Head Coach the best possible chance to succeed.

It is obvious that Liverpool, never mind Liverpool's midfield, lacks a player who can progress the ball from deep positions. For a good while, it seemed that Adam Wharton was the man being targeted for this role. 

However, following the dismissal of Arne Slot and Crystal Palace's qualification for the Europa League, rumours have died down - and any move is now rumoured to cost in the region of £100m.

Angelo Stiller is the player abroad who stands out as an almost direct alternative to Wharton. The German currently plays for DFB Pokal Finalists Stuttgart, with only two years remaining on his contract. 

Stiller is known for his progressive passing from the No. 6 position, and whilst he may not have as special a range as Wharton, he does possess a superior fitness record. But he does share the same weaknesses, requiring a midfield partner who can cover the hard yards for him to flourish.

This is a trait that you would imagine is incompatible with Iraola's intense, all-in style of play. Therefore, maybe Liverpool are looking for a different profile of midfielder now that the Basque is at the helm. 

READ MORE: Interest In Crystal Palace Midfielder Confirmed As Liverpool Explore Midfield Reinforcements

AS Monaco's Lamine Camara and RC Lens' Mamadou Sangaré have been Ligue 1's standout midfielders (that don't play for Paris Saint-Germain) this season. The two actually have quite similar profiles on the surface as multi-faceted, all-action midfielders. 

There are a few borderline differences between them. On the ball, Sangaré is the slightly better passer, whilst Camara is the slightly better ball carrier - although both are standouts in each department. Against the ball, Camara is better on the ground, whilst Sangaré is quite a bit better in the air; he, in fact, has the 5th most aerial duels won out of all midfielders in Ligue 1.

Meanwhile, both rank very highly for interceptions and ball recoveries. In terms of interceptions, Camara sits at 1.85 per 90 minutes and Sangaré at 1.60. In terms of ball recoveries, Camara ranks in the 93rd percentile, whilst Sangaré - astoundingly - ranks in the 100th. These statistics suggest that both would be a good fit for Iraola's pressing system.

READ MORE: Why Mamadou Sangare's Reported Price Tag Could Tempt Liverpool

Throughout all this comparison, one should consider that Sangaré played for the superior side last season, a side that finished 16 points better off than Monaco and only six behind eventual title winners Paris Saint-Germain. This is, of course, a credit to Sangaré for being part of that team, but also something that shows Camara has been performing at a very high level with presumably worse teammates.

With the two players being of similar profile, the deciding factor for any potential buyer is likely to come down to price, character references, and/or fitness record.

One such potential buyer is said to be Manchester United, who reportedly hold an interest in signing Mamadou Sangaré.

With quoted price-tags reaching almost ridiculous levels for a host of Premier League midfielders, it would make sense for Liverpool to look to Europe for moves more akin to the bargains they used to be known for finding.

The two Ligue 1 starlets, Sangaré and Camara, both stand out as all-action midfielders that would thrive in a pressing system like Iraola's, whilst Angelo Stiller is a more direct alternative to the long-linked Adam Wharton.

Liverpool should look to move fast on their midfield target(s), with transfer values only likely to increase across the board when players return from the World Cup as accomplished internationals, and rivals also begin to seek value outside of the inflationary domestic transfer market.

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