Benjamin Bourigeaud is a wanted man.
The 25-year-old has been extra-ordinarily linked to 11 clubs by Estadio Deportivo, who suggest a whole host of elite European sides have been keeping tabs on the holding midfielder.
They report Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester United and ourselves want Bourigeaud in England, while in Italy, Napoli, Atalanta, Roma, Inter and Milan are all keen – with Spanish outfit Sevilla currently leading the race.
A price-tag of €15m has been put on the Frenchman’s head, which seems entirely reasonable considering the state of the market, the fact the player shone for Stade Rennais in Ligue 1 and is at the perfect age to make the move to a new country.
Bourigeaud is technically gifted, a sharp passer and can control the pace of a game – but in reality – he’s nowhere near Fabinho’s level.
As backup to our Brazilian, we have Jordan Henderson, who can play the anchorman role, or Gini Wijnaldum, who has shown the ability to play no.6 very well at times under Jurgen Klopp’s tutelage.
If we are to strengthen anywhere this term, it won’t be in defensive midfield.