Liverpool are expected to be on the lookout for a new midfielder in 2026 as they aim to freshen up their squad.
Arne Slot’s side have been far too easy to play through this season, with lingering doubts about their midfield balance.
And while there are some world-class players in the squad, it is clear that something is not clicking at the moment.
Liverpool’s recruitment team need to focus on bringing in players with greater pace, power, and stamina in the next transfer windows.
RB Leipzig’s young talent, Assan Ouedraogo, has burst onto the scene this season, displaying the attributes necessary for success. With the 19-year-old gaining momentum in the Bundesliga, the Reds are reportedly planning a move for the player.
Liverpool scouts keeping tabs on Assan Ouedraogo
Liverpool’s interest in Ouedraogo dates back to his time at Schalke, when he was already being mentioned as a player to watch during the 2023/24 season.
At nearly 6 feet 4 inches tall, the teenager is an imposing figure who seems poised for a bright future.
A serious injury kept him out for much of the 2024/25 campaign, but since recovering and getting regular minutes under Ole Werner, he has started making a real impact.
The former Schalke player, now a regular starter at RB Leipzig, scored on his German national team debut during the November international break.
Sport BILD reports that Ouedraogo’s recent good form – culminating in another goal for Leipzig last weekend – has attracted interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Liverpool are reportedly among them. The club’s scouts have watched him play in recent weeks. Having joined Leipzig for under £10m, it is now believed it would take more than £88m to prise him away in 2026.
Ouedraogo was told not to join Liverpool
Even though some supporters might not be familiar with Ouedraogo’s name yet, Liverpool’s recruitment team certainly know him.
The club showed real interest in signing him from Schalke back in 2024, but reports from that period indicated that his father advised against the move.
In January 2024, Christian Falk said: “Assan Ouedraogo’s father has a key role in this transfer saga.”
The German journalist then added: “What I have heard is that the family is thinking a step into another league like the Premier League would be a step too much for him. He’s a very young player. The same goes for Bayern or Liverpool.”
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