Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is reportedly monitoring eight midfield targets for the summer window, with four established Premier League names on the shortlist according to TeamTalk. The domestic contingent includes Elliot Anderson (23, Nottingham Forest), Adam Wharton (22, Crystal Palace), Boubacar Kamara (26, Aston Villa), and Alex Scott (22, Bournemouth), as the club seeks a more defensive-minded pivot to balance Arne Slot’s system. Interest from Anfield comes as contract negotiations with Curtis Jones have reportedly stalled, while the club seeks reinforcements following a significant dip in form from Alexis Mac Allister during the early stages of 2026.
The Premier League targets and valuations
Elliot Anderson has emerged as a high-priority target following his £35m move from Newcastle to Forest in 2024, though his valuation has undergone a massive surge. As first reported by Goal, Nottingham Forest may demand between £100m and £120m for the midfielder, who is also drawing attention from Manchester City and Manchester United. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe previously described selling Anderson as a "very, very painful transfer" forced by PSR requirements, but the 23-year-old’s form has justified that reluctance. Meanwhile, Boubacar Kamara remains a candidate for his defensive versatility, despite currently being sidelined after undergoing knee surgery in January 2026. The French midfielder is expected to miss the remainder of the current campaign, which may complicate a summer pursuit.
Slot’s tactical shift and overseas options
The recruitment drive is fueled by a desire to secure a natural holding midfielder, a profile Liverpool have lacked since the departure of Fabinho. While Richard Hughes is assessing domestic talent, the shortlist also includes Ederson (Atalanta), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Lamine Camara (Monaco), and Mamadou Sangare (Lens) to ensure alternative profiles are available if the £100m+ valuations for Premier League talent prove prohibitive. Speaking on the player's future, Forest manager Vitor Pereira stated he could not confirm whether Anderson would stay but remarked that the player "deserves the top of the world." With Anderson under contract until 2029, Forest hold a strong negotiating position that mirrors previous high-value exits from the City Ground. Liverpool’s final decisions will likely hinge on the resolution of Jones's contract status and Kamara’s long-term medical outlook.