Liverpool were interested in signing £85m player before he signed for Tottenham this summer

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Tottenham and Liverpool could hardly have had more different transfer windows this summer.Though Spurs were a much more extreme example, both teams had poor seasons last year, but while the North Londoners went out and signed 10 players, Liverpool made do with only three – plus the pre-arranged deal for Jeremy Jacquet.Fans on Merseyside wanted more, and the lack of a midfield signing was something that especially stuck in the craw. Tottenham had no such troubles, bringing in Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes for £185m to give themselves a brand new look in the middle of the park.

Is this the XI you would choose to face Ipswich? What changes would you make if not? 👀 Liverpool potential XI Tonali had previously been mentioned as a target for Liverpool, but according to journalist James Pearce, the Reds might actually have been hoping to give Tottenham a challenge for Fernandes, who was one of two midfielders they supposedly looked at signing.

Liverpool were keen on Mateus FernandesLiverpool fans had been desperate to see a late move for a midfielder on transfer deadline day, with Monaco’s Lamine Camara feeling like the most probable signing.Camara had agreed to join Chelsea, but after Monaco pulled the plug right at the end of the window, rumours have started to surface that Liverpool have promised to come in to sign the Senegal international in 2027.Pearce’s information appears to corroborate that to a degree, with Camara confirmed to be one of two potential targets, along with Fernandes.Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Andoni Iraola to get attacking reinforcement as Liverpool seal January transfer agreement“The other one that I thought was interesting from the chats I had was that Liverpool were also interested in [Mateus] Fernandes, who went from West Ham to to Tottenham.” he told the Walk On Podcast.“I think if they had signed a midfielder it would have been probably between [Lamine] Camara and Fernandes.”Fernandes was probably seen as being ultimately too expensive, and joined Spurs for £85m at the beginning of July.It is less clear why Liverpool would choose to hold out on Camara, despite him being available, but with Fernandes most definitely off the table, the 22-year-old should now be the favourite should the Reds finally look to bolster their midfield next year. Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox