Liverpool targeting moves for Serie A trio

Liverpool could reportedly be set to raid Serie A for midfield reinforcements following Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s injury, according to Italian outlet Caliciomercatoweb.

The lowdown: Lengthy layoff

The former England international has been ruled out for a prolonged period after limping out of a pre-season clash against Crystal Palace with a hamstring injury last month.

As a result of the setback, the 28-year-old missed the 3-1 Community Shield victory over Manchester City and the 3-0 friendly defeat at the hands of Strasbourg over the weekend, a clash which also saw Ibrahima Konate hobble off worryingly.

Despite previous reports suggesting that the incomings were done for the summer, injuries were always likely to change the landscape, and it now appears as though the Reds are in the market for further additions…

The latest: Serie A trio eyed

As per Calciomercatoweb, Liverpool are believed to be looking attentively at the Italian top flight for a potential replacement for Oxlade-Chamberlain.

It’s claimed that Inter Milan technician Hakan Calhanoglu has been ‘targeted’ in this summer transfer window and is a ‘favourite’ of Jurgen Klopp.

Alongside a ‘new assault’ for the 28-year-old Turkey international, who was once hailed as ‘exceptional’ by Stefano Pioli, Liverpool have also been linked with Juventus workhorse Adrien Rabiot and AC Milan sensation Ismael Bennacer in the same report.

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The verdict: Do it

Unfortunately, injuries to Oxlade-Chamberlain have become all too commonplace, whilst Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson and Thiago have all succumbed to fitness issues of their own in recent times.

While the likes of emerging stars such as Harvey Elliott, Fabio Carvalho and Curtis Jones have all continued to flourish throughout pre-season, there is still room for a further addition in the Anfield ranks to ensure that Klopp has all the tools at his disposal in order to challenge on every front once again.

Therefore, signing a player of Calhanoglu’s calibre to strengthen the midfield would be a sensational piece of business from the Reds, particularly given the 72-cap Turkey star’s phenomenal versatility.

Capable of playing anywhere across the midfield and in advanced wide positions, the former AC Milan dynamo scored eight times and provided 13 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions last season, earning a 7.53 Sofascore rating whilst completing 2.6 key passes per Serie A match.

Sharing a close stylistic likeness to such renowned names as Kevin De Bruyne, Luka Modric and Nicolo Barella (FBRef), Calhanoglu would be a superb capture, and Liverpool’s sporting director Julian Ward should be making tentative steps forward in this mooted transfer pursuit.