Liverpool begin negotiations to sign their own version of Wharton

Liverpool won’t sign a versatile player The 25-year-old star, who can also play at right-back, centre-back or central midfield, is currently on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig, but the Reds have been given the chance to bring him to Anfield.

Arn Slott is currently short on the right-back position due to injuries to Conor Bradley and Jeremy Frimpong. Gertruida may have been shrewd enough to join the team. That said, they are said to be close to signing Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, which is certainly exciting.

But he’s not the only promising young player on their radar.

Liverpool hold talks to sign midfield star

Meanwhile, the Reds may look for alternative options. The reigning Premier League champions may also find work elsewhere as Goaltruida fills a hole on the right side of the pitch before the deadline.

Slott are hoping to sign a new right-back due to injuries to Bradley and Frimpong, as well as adding another option to their engine room in the coming hours.

According to Reds reporter Dave Ock OP, Liverpool have reportedly named AZ Alkmaar’s central midfielder Keith Smit as a potential addition before tonight’s deadline.

According to reports, the Reds are already in talks with the player’s agent to discuss a potential move for the Dutchman to Anfield.

He added that AZ Alkmaar are open to signing the 20-year-old star amid interest from a number of clubs, but consider him a great talent.

The Eredivisie side are expected to demand a transfer fee of around £30m for the central midfielder as they rate him highly, but it remains to be seen whether Liverpool are willing to pay that fee today or if they will wait until the summer.

Why Liverpool should sign Keith Smit

The Reds are expected to spend the £30m required to sign the Dutchman in the coming hours. Because he could be slot’s version of Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton.

Liverpool are rumored to be interested in the £87m England international, but it looks like AZ Alkmaar’s talent could be snapped up for a fraction of the price.

Described by U23 scout Antonio Mango as “exuding class”, Smit is similar to Wharton in that he is a classy central midfielder who excels with the ball at his feet, but is also combative when not in possession.

In fact, scout Ben Mattinson described him as a “midfield strongman” who “walks around the running game in midfield and does everything with high intensity.”

The Dutchman, who scored 10 goals and provided eight assists in all competitions in 2024/25, has now matched Wharton’s assist tally in the Premier League with two goals and two assists in the Eredivisie this season.

As you can see from the table above, both players are creative midfielders and effective long passers who have shown that they can advance their team’s play to break down the opposition on a regular basis.

But on top of that, Smit has won 3.6 points per game in the Dutch top flight and Wharton has won 4.8 points per game in the Premier League, which shows that both can combine that and be physical in the middle of the park, even if their main focus is possession.

The advantage for Wharton is that he has already proven himself in the league, having already played for Palace in the Premier League, giving him some confidence in his ability to perform in Liverpool’s division.

However, it is difficult to say how Smit will adapt to playing in the Premier League, given that he has not yet played outside the Netherlands and has no experience in the country.

But taking that risk means Liverpool will only have to pay £30m for him instead of £87m, and could sign a cheaper deal for Wharton if his performances translate into English football.