In recent years, Liverpool have established themselves as the kings of the transfer market.
Long gone are the days when the Reds would spend an eye-watering amount of cash on overpriced, underperforming stars. Instead, Liverpool, most recently led by sporting director Michael Edwards, have opted for a far more savvy, data-driven approach when it comes to identifying new recruits.
Said strategery has seen Liverpool seal shrewd deals for Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and more recently Luis Diaz for fees well below the £50m landmark, while their Premier League counterparts have been forced to part with sizeable outlays in order to guarantee goals.
READ MORE: Liverpool £400m stadium plan was doomed to fail as 'spectacular' Kop hopes dashed
EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool commercial director Ben Latty on sponsorship deals, the USA and Anfield Road
But despite their clever dealings in recent years, it does not mean Anfield officials don't spend big from time to time. Of course, it was only last month that the Reds secured the signature of Darwin Nunez from Benfica for an initial £64m, which could later rise to £85m if performance-related add-ons are met.
Before the arrival of the Uruguayan, Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk had been the two most high-profile arrivals at Anfield in recent years as the club spent in the excess of £130m for the pair's signatures in 2018. Which, it must be said, now even looks to be a bargain given how instrumental they have been in transforming Jurgen Klopp 's side from the nearly men of European football into the continents chiefs.
And if reports are to be true, 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder Jude Bellingham could be the next big-money addition through the doors of Anfield next summer, with club officials huge fans of the former Birmingham City scholar. However, despite missing out on Aurelien Tchouameni to Real Madrid earlier this summer, it seems that plans to bring a midfielder have been shelved until next summer with the Liverpool boasting an abundance of options ahead of the new campaign.
And while any deal to sign Bellingham would likely have to smash the £85m outlay Liverpool parted with to sign Nunez earlier this window, the wages of the youngster could also prove to be a problem given that he is likely to receive healthy contract offers from almost every top side in Europe.
This means a deal for Bellingham may not be as straightforward as simply handing Borussia Dortmund the desired asking price, which is believed to be in the £100m region, for the midfielder. It is reasonable to suggest Julian Ward and his transfer gurus will be drawing up a list of alternative targets ahead for potenital midfield moves next summer.
One name that may well have been discussed in recent years by the club's recruitment team is Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, who has captured the eye of plenty of onlookers during his three-and-a-half years in English football so far.
Having joined the Foxes from AS Monaco in January 2019, initially on a six-month loan deal, the Belgium maestro has cemented himself as one of the Premier League's most complete midfielders and has, at times, earned comparisons to former Anfield favourite Gini Wijnaldum.
Known for his combative ability in the centre of the pitch, the 25-year-old has gone from strength to strength under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers; adding goal contributions to his already impressive attacking skill set. However, Tielemans has less than one year left on his current deal at the King Power and with each tick of the clock, it seems more and more likely the midfielder will depart for free and end his stay in the Midlands upon the expiration of his contract next summer.
Despite boasting the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones, amongst others, in the engine room ahead of the new season, Tielemans would offer Liverpool something in midfield they haven't had since Oxlade-Chamberlain kick-started his Anfield career in the early months of 2018 - a progressive, attacking midfielder.
The former Anderlecht prodigy would also bring a wealth of experience to the ranks at Anfield, boasting over 150 appearances for the Foxes since he made his debut in February 2019 and impressively notching 48 goal contributions in that time. Similarly to Wijnaldum, the Leicester City star boasts an impressive range of versatility having operated in three different midfield roles during his time at the club. Which, as we know, would be huge on the checklist of Klopp who craves versatility from his players and even more so ahead of a rumoured switch to a 4-2-3-1 this campaign.
There is no doubting that the addition of Bellingham will sit at the top of the club's 2023 summer wishlist, but given how highly-rated the Birmingham-born star is already - this winter's World Cup could throw a spanner in the works as his stock could rise once again if he plays a starring role in any success the Three Lions secure in Qatar.
At the moment, it has been reported that Tielemans has 'no intention' of signing a new deal at the King Power. While Arsenal and others are credited with interest in him, if Liverpool are forced to look elsewhere for their midfield revamp ahead of next summer and Tielemans remains available - he may offer a viable alternative to Bellingham.
READ NEXT:
- Jurgen Klopp reveals Liverpool transfer plan for this window and two things that could change it
- Mohamed Salah has big advantage that may explain his new Liverpool contract
-
Liverpool star almost punched boss in the face as anger spilled over on transfer deadline day
-
Istanbul story captures humility of Liverpool great David Moores
