Barcelona identify Liverpool FLOP as search for Busquets' replacement continues

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 25 Feb 2023 17:14 GMT
• 3 min read

Barcelona monitoring Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita ahead of a summer move.

Diario Sport reports that the La Liga side are looking to bring in a midfielder into the ranks and have the Reds player among their list of options.

The Guinean features as a possible target along with the likes of Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City, N’Golo Kante of Chelsea, Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio, and Leicester City star Youri Tielemans.

The players are out of contract with their respective clubs, with Barcelona looking to limit expenditure in the upcoming window.

READ MORE: Liverpool’s 10 worst transfers of all time

The side wish to replace long-time player Sergio Busquets and see former RB Leipzig midfielder Keita as one of those who could suitable fill the void.

Fabrizio Romano has stated that so far no talks regarding Keita’s contract extension have taken place between himself and his current club and it’s more than likely that he will leave on a free transfer in June.

Klopp nods to overhaul

Liverpool are expected to completely overhaul their midfield following their torrid campaign so far.

Jurgen Klopp admitted that a change-up was needed for the upcoming window in a recent press conference.

The Reds reached a nadir after they were beaten 5-2 by Real Madrid on Tuesday in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie, leaving them with a mountain to climb for the return leg in Spain.

"We know we have to improve and change things and we will," said Klopp. "We cannot do it now but it's already clear that we have to do something in the summer. For now, we just have to go through this and fight back."

"It's not helpful [if we don't get in the Champions League]," said Klopp.

"We have to start doing work earlier before we know where we will end up position-wise and European competition-wise. These things are clear.”