In a recent report, The Sun has claimed that Liverpool are set to rival Leeds United in pursuit of Udinese playmaker Rodrigo de Paul, who favours a switch to England. It is believed that the Reds are scouting the Argentine midfielder but will face competition from the Whites and Inter Milan in pursuit of the player (via The Sun).
De Paul’s Impressive Season In Italian Football
The 26-year-old is enjoying a brilliant campaign at the Stadio Friuli after producing a series of eye-catching displays at the centre of Luca Gotti’s midfield. He has made 17 appearances for the Italian outfit this term, scoring three goals and securing three assists in various competitions.
De Paul has caught the eye for his attacking contributions this season as he is averaging 2.5 shots, 2.5 key passes and 3.3 dribbles per game in the Serie A. He has even been excellent when distributing the ball based on his pass completion rate of 80.5% in the Italian first division (stats via whoscored).
In Thiago’s injury absence, the Reds struggled to find creativity from their midfielders in the Premier League over the past few weeks, increasing Jurgen Klopp’s need to add more quality in January or next summer. De Paul perfectly fits the bill as he can be a real offensive force due to his creativity and goal threat in the opposition half.
What Will The Argentine Sensation Bring To Anfield?
De Paul is a well-rounded midfielder who is deceptively quick when he dribbles with the ball and can be relentless in his desire to make late runs towards the opponent’s penalty area. He has the vision to unlock the opposition defence with a killer pass in the attacking third and is not afraid to have a shot from a long range when given time and space by his marker.
The 19-time Argentine international is entering the prime years of his playing career, so the Reds will do well to win the race for his signature. He has even got a good work ethic and is an accurate passer of the ball, making him such an invaluable member of the Udinese squad.
Is De Paul The Right Choice For The Reds?
Currently, the Merseyside giants have got Georginio Wijnaldum still under contract until the end of this campaign. Hence, they have no immediate need to replace the Dutch midfielder unless he refuses to pen a new deal in the coming months.
If Wijnaldum leaves next summer, then Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp should consider prioritising on making a move for de Paul as he is a more attack-minded midfielder who is embarking upon the peak of his playing career. At 26, he could become a first-team starter at Anfield for years to come, making the Serie A star a decent choice for Klopp in the summer transfer period.
