Liverpool can ease Arne Slot headache by finally signing Jurgen Klopp's dream transfer target

Liverpool can ease Arne Slot headache by finally signing Jurgen Klopp's dream transfer targetLiverpool's midfield has laboured this season but they could find a solution in the form of a player Jurgen Klopp was eager to bring to AnfieldCommentsSportopinionChris Burns Senior Sports Writer06:15, 07 May 2026View 3 ImagesAurelien Tchouameni was once a key transfer target for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool(Image: Photo by Soccrates/Getty Images) Liverpool may be wrestling with numerous issues across the pitch this season, but there is one department that demands immediate attention this summer: their midfield. Arne Slot could go a long way towards addressing that concern by landing the club's long-standing target, Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni. ‌ The Dutch boss's central axis was ruthlessly exposed by Manchester United during the Red Devils' 3-2 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday. The national press dissected the United defeat, with the Reds' midfield singled out for criticism over a shortage of quality. ‌ Supporters have also voiced their opinions, and the overwhelming view is that Liverpool are missing intensity and bite in their engine room. While Slot's team, driven by Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, cruised to the Premier League title last term, this campaign has seen Liverpool's midfield frequently overrun and overpowered. ‌ It seems a far cry from the Liverpool witnessed under Jurgen Klopp, equipped with the tireless, grafting attributes of Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum and Fabinho, which would suffocate rivals without allowing them a second to breathe. Yet even with a midfield brimming with creativity and power, Klopp still set his sights on Tchouameni, which is precisely why the 26-year-old must remain a priority for Liverpool this summer. Tchouameni was strongly linked with a switch to Anfield back in 2022. FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FB PAGE! Latest Reds news and more on our dedicated Facebook page ‌ READ MORE: Liverpool flop Darwin Nunez reaches new transfer agreement after brutal axeREAD MORE: Jurgen Klopp reveals 'changed persepctive' as Liverpool icon prepares for new jobThe midfielder had shone for Monaco throughout the 2021/22 campaign, and it was widely reported at the time that Klopp had even made a personal trip to France in a bid to seal the deal, while also reportedly holding phone conversations with the defensive midfielder. Tchouameni ultimately opted for Madrid over Liverpool in a transfer worth up to £85million and even acknowledged that the Merseyside club had made their move for him. "The first club to show interest in me was Liverpool," Tchouameni told Le Parisien in November 2022. "There were discussions, but as soon as Real Madrid entered, my mind was made up. I didn't hesitate for a second. I told my agent, take me to Real Madrid." ‌ View 3 ImagesAurelien Tchouameni could have joined Liverpool in 2022(Image: Mateo Villalba, Getty Images) Tchouameni undoubtedly remains a prized asset for Los Blancos right now. Yet with another change in the dugout looming, and the likes of Manchester City's Rodri and Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez being touted with moves to the Spanish capital, the French international could find himself looking for a fresh challenge. There is a compelling case for bringing a player of Tchouameni's formidable physical profile to Anfield. He is commanding in the tackle, winning nearly 70 per cent of his duels this season, and a dominant aerial presence. He also boasts a passing accuracy of 91.4 per cent this season, according to FotMob. ‌ The Frenchman would bring World Cup and Champions League-winning pedigree to a Liverpool midfield that appears exhausted. While Szoboszlai has impressed this season on the whole, Curtis Jones has found himself marginalised - and is entering the final 12 months of his deal. Mac Allister has continually struggled this campaign as well, looking weary to put it mildly, while Florian Wirtz has laboured on the left and in the space behind the Reds' forward line. Defensive midfield anchor Wataru Endo is a long-term casualty through injury and is expected to be sold this summer. View 3 ImagesLiverpool's engine room has struggled this season(Image: 2025 Liverpool FC) ‌ Ryan Gravenberch, who signed a new long-term contract this season, has also been unable to replicate last year's impact. Yet the arrival of a genuine holding midfielder in Tchouameni could prove transformative for the Dutchman's progression at Anfield. It won't be a straightforward deal for Liverpool to complete. Reports suggest that Madrid plan to offer the Frenchman a new long-term contract until 2031. They are also believed to be optimistic that he'll stay at the Bernabeu, with two years left on his existing deal. Manchester United and Arsenal are also understood to be keen, with any potential buyer expected to fork out around £80m. Yet it could be a more than worthwhile outlay to finally provide Slot with a dominant midfielder who can handle a Premier League that's growing more physical by the game. Article continues belowJoin our LFC WhatsApp community and get all the latest LFC news, views, transfer gossip and more, as it happens We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV packageThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. 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