Real Madrid seems to be winning the race to sign Jude Bellingham from Dortmund. If they do get him, other interested parties like Liverpool will have to seek out an alternative if they want an interesting midfielder next summer.
Here are some other options, similar to or even better than the English teenager Liverpool could explore:
1. Milinkovic-Savic
The Serbian midfielder has been linked with Liverpool in the past, but the Reds have never really pushed to get him.
He's still just 27 and would come in cheaper than Bellingham yet loaded with experience, an eye for goal and a playing that fits Liverpool.
2. Adrien Thomasson
The Strasburg midfielder seems to have gone under the radar but his performances have remained consistent.
Thomasson is a box-to-box midfielder who knows how to score and create goals. It's even better that he could cost Liverpool less than £20m.
3. Youssouf Fofana
The Frenchman is just 23 and he's been turning heads in the French Ligue 1. Liverpool were interested in his teammate at Monaco before Tchouameni decided to join Real Madrid for big money.
Right now, Fofana has forced his way into the France national team and is in line to feature at the World Cup. If he does, his value will likely skyrocket from the £18m it currently stands at right now.
4. Konrad Laimer
If Liverpool wants a ferocious midfielder who can leave his heart on the pitch week-in-week-out it's Konrad Laimer - considered to be the Austrian Gerrard.
Laimer has been solid at RB Leipzig for nearly eight years now. He's a hard tackler and a player who rarely gets injured.
5. Fede Valverde
Liverpool have been linked to the Uruguayan midfielder by some unreliable sources. Enough said it's unlikely that Liverpool ever get such a player as Real Madrid will not let him go.
However, if there was ever one player that would fit like a glove in Jurgen Klopp's system it's Valverde
