Liverpool's midfield is facing a summer shake-up, and the Reds are already eyeing their next big addition. After relying on the same core group for the past two seasons, Arne Slot is seeing diminishing returns from some key players—and it's time for a refresh.

The last major midfield overhaul came in 2023, when Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Wataru Endo arrived at Anfield. Fast forward to now, and both Gravenberch and Mac Allister have dipped below their best form—a stark contrast to the form that powered Liverpool's 2024/25 Premier League title charge. Add in Curtis Jones's complicated contract situation, and it's clear why Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes are plotting changes.

Enter Mamadou Sangare, the 23-year-old Mali international making waves at RC Lens. A bargain £6.9m signing from Rapid Vienna last summer, Sangare has been a revelation in Ligue 1, delivering three goals and four assists from central midfield with an all-action style that's caught the eye of top clubs. A £35m package could tempt Lens—known as the Blood and Gold—to sell, and Liverpool are in pole position to compete for his signature.

Dominic King, a trusted voice on Merseyside, calls a player like Sangare "essential" for Slot's next phase. "Liverpool's traditional close scrutiny of Ligue 1 means they will be aware of the well-regarded Mamadou Sangare," King reports in the Telegraph. Born in Bamako, Mali, Sangare rose through the Red Bull system at Salzburg, with loan spells across Austria and Belgium before a permanent move to Rapid Vienna in 2024—and then his bold step into one of Europe's top leagues.

With a contract running until 2030, Sangare isn't going anywhere cheaply. But for a midfielder who's been a consistent presence for surprise Ligue 1 package Lens this season, it's only a matter of time before he lands at a bigger club. Liverpool fans, keep your eyes on this one—the next midfield engine might just be on his way.