After months of searching to find Julian Ward’s successor, it seems like Liverpool finally has their candidate in Jörg Schmadtke. The former Wolfsburg man is not quite wrapped up just yet, but his move to Anfield feels inevitable.

With an impressive track record, having taken Wolfsburg from the relegation zone to Champions League football, Schmadtke would come to Liverpool with strong credentials.

Having always worked with tight budgets, it’s going to be interesting to see how he handles a potentially bigger transfer kitty. Schmadtke’s eye for talent is undisputed.

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He’s brought in plenty of bargain transfers who have become linchpins for Wolfsburg over the last few years.

One of his last masterstrokes at Wolfsburg was signing Matias Svanberg from Bologna for $10m (£7.8m/€9m). Already in his debut season, the Swedish international has made 11 goal contributions from midfield for the club, averaging 0.50 goal contributions per 90 minutes.

Svanberg is an interesting profile. Only 24 years old, he is still relatively young and stands at 1.85m (6ft 1in), which makes him a relatively tall central midfielder as well. Yet despite his height, he is very technically gifted and has a sumptuous touch, while also possessing plenty of energy and physicality at the heart of the midfield as well.

As Liverpool embarks on a midfield rebuild, now likely masterminded by Schmadtke, the club’s potential new sporting director should consider another move for his previous bargain transfer.

Matias Svanberg is a player who should be on Liverpool’s transfer radar.

(Image: Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

Svanberg ticks a lot of boxes for Liverpool in terms of his age and playing style. He is someone who covers a lot of ground, can control possession and also break up opposition attacks, which is the kind of player Jürgen Klopp needs.

This season, as per Wyscout, Svanberg has averaged 4.92 defensive duels per 90 in the Bundesliga, winning 55.4 per cent. He also made 3.65 interceptions and 5.75 recoveries per 90.

He won’t necessarily be a starting XI option at Anfield, to begin with anyway, but he could become a valuable squad player. And considering the sheer amount of midfielders leaving this summer, on top of an already shortage of options, recruiting someone like Svanberg could be just as important for Liverpool.

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One of the best aspects about him is that he can play in so many roles. At Wolfsburg this season, he has been used as a holding midfielder in a double pivot, in a box-to-box role, and in a more advanced playmaker role just behind the striker.

He’s also played on the flanks as a right midfielder and wing-back, and that ability could come in handy for Liverpool considering Trent Alexander-Arnold’s new role.

All in all, Svanberg would tick a lot of boxes in terms of what Liverpool needs, and with Schmadtke clearly having good connections at Wolfsburg and leaving on good terms, if he is appointed the Reds would have the conditions as well to strike a reasonable deal for him.

Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid transfer target Jude Bellingham sent a clear ‘priority’ message when visiting Birmingham City on Monday.

Midfield sensation Jude Bellingham sent a clear message to the world on Monday afternoon as he visited boyhood club Birmingham City for their final game of the season. The transfer speculation just doesn’t go away for the England international, with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City the clubs in England heavily linked.

Real Madrid are said to be the favourites to sign Bellingham this summer, but the 19-year-old showcased very clearly that his priority at this moment in time is to take his mind off the future. Birmingham lost 2-1 to Sheffield United on the final day of the Championship campaign but Bellingham’s brother, Jobe, put on a brilliant display in midfield.

Jude, despite playing and scoring twice in a 6-0 win for Borussia Dortmund less than 24 hours beforehand, traveled all the way from Germany to cheer on his sibling and the club he supports. He often makes the trip and there were plenty of patient fans who reaped the benefits of waiting well beyond the full-time whistle at St Andrew’s.

Bellingham was there until around 7.10pm – over two hours after the game had finished – signing autographs and taking photographs with Bluenoses. He put smiles on what must’ve been well over a hundred supporters’ faces, showcasing the impact he still has at Birmingham is beyond what words can describe.

And Bellingham wasn’t the only important figure in attendance on Monday, as soon-to-be owner Tom Wagner watched on from the stands. The American, who was pictured during the game with a Blues scarf wrapped around his neck, has already made plenty of promises ahead of an exciting new era at St Andrew’s.