The rumours about Liverpool signing a midfielder this summer have been around for months as it became clear that Gini Wijnaldum would be moving on, and Rodrigo de Paul was a player who was linked as a potential replacement.
Four Four Two had indicated that Liverpool had made contact with Udinese at the start of the summer about a potential transfer, but the potential asking price of £35m may have been too much.
He’s an interesting player because he initially arrived in Serie A as a wider player who could also play as a number 10, but he’s been transformed into an all-action midfielder who still has that quality on the ball to make a real difference.
In the end it does look like the price tag is fairly accurate, but it’s Atletico Madrid who appear to be close to securing his signature:
Atlético Madrid – De Paul almost done deal for 35 M. 5 y contract already agreed for the #Udinese mdf @tvdellosport @AlfredoPedulla #DePaul #atleti
— Gianluigi Longari (@Glongari) June 15, 2021
He’s also a hard-working player so you fancy that Diego Simeone will find a way to get the best out of him in Madrid, but Liverpool are set to miss out on his signature unless they make any last-ditch attempt to bring him in.