Liverpool’s bid to sign Feyenoord midfielder Mats Wieffer has reportedly been unsuccessful, as Brighton is said to have agreed to a £25 million deal for the player. Despite this, Liverpool is still making desperate attempts to secure his signature. It is surprising that Liverpool would wait until the last minute to make a move for Wieffer, considering they have had ample time to do so in the past month.
Wieffer, who has nine caps for the Netherlands, is highly regarded in the Eredivisie. However, some experts believe that he may not have the potential to become a top-level player. Dutch football journalist Michael Statham explained how Wieffer was used by his former coach Arne Slot at Feyenoord. He would often drop back into a center-back position when the team needed to chase a game, allowing for an extra attacking player to be brought on.
One of Wieffer’s notable strengths is his aerial ability. Despite being just under six feet tall, he excels in winning aerial duels compared to other midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues. According to FBRef, he ranks in the top one percent of comparable players with 3.13 aerial duels won per 90 minutes. However, this may not be the exact skill set that Liverpool is looking for in a holding midfielder.
Liverpool needs a player who is mobile, comfortable on the ball, and capable of tracking dangerous runners. While Wieffer has done well this season, there are doubts about how much higher he can reach in terms of his potential. It is unclear why Liverpool would be desperate to sign him if he may not meet their specific requirements.
In conclusion, Liverpool’s attempt to hijack Brighton’s deal for Mats Wieffer seems to have failed. While Wieffer is highly rated in the Eredivisie and has impressive aerial ability, it remains uncertain if he is the right fit for Liverpool’s midfield needs. The Reds may need to continue their search for a player who better suits their requirements in terms of mobility and defensive awareness.