Liverpool’s next perfect signing isn’t who everyone expects. While the bidding war for Lamine Camara is already heating up for a potential 2027 move, an even better bet just landed under the radar for Sporting CP this summer: Sergi Altimira. Everyone expects AS Monaco to set a huge asking price for Camara, their prized asset, especially after his stellar start to the season. The hype is real, and it’s driving that price tag even higher.
Why the Hype Around Lamine Camara Is Real (But Maybe Misguided)
Look, we get it. Lamine Camara has been heavily linked with Liverpool, and for good reason. He feels like a natural fit, a midfielder who can control a game and bring that much-needed defensive solidity the Reds are sorely lacking right now. Everyone expects a bidding war in 2027, and AS Monaco is ready to sell. He’s a good player, absolutely, and his start to the season has only intensified that buzz. But sometimes, the loudest noise isn’t always the smartest play. What if there’s someone out there who fits the bill even better, someone who could be exactly what Liverpool is crying out for, but flew under the radar?
Sergi Altimira: The Untouchable Defensive Monster Liverpool Needs
Sergi Altimira joined Sporting CP this summer, replacing Morten Hjulmand, who had three incredibly successful years there, winning the title twice and making the Team of the Year every single season. That’s a huge shadow to step into, right? Yet, Sporting might have actually upgraded. Altimira is *good*. Like, seriously, unbelievably good. He’s about as solid a defensive midfielder as you’re ever going to find, a true outlier. Last season in La Liga, he had by far the highest tackles per 90 minutes among centre-midfielders. He also pulled off the highest number of weighted defensive actions and landed in the 98th percentile for defensive output share. This dude is a defensive wrecking ball.
But wait, there’s more. Altimira also hit the 98th percentile for his team’s share of possession value. He’s not just a ball-winner, he controls the game too, exactly what Liverpool craves. Our own Value Adder model backs this up, big time. He sits 5th across Europe’s top five leagues for possession value per 90 minutes, right up there with names like Rodri and Frenkie de Jong. And for defensive value per 90? We’ve got Altimira as the absolute best. That’s across *all positions*, not just midfielders. He is a true standout. Plus, Fotmob shows Altimira boasts the best pass success rate and elite percentiles for defensive contributions, tackles, recoveries, and duel percentage. This isn’t just promise, this is genuinely world-class work in top leagues, right now. He just moved clubs, sure, but Liverpool needs to be watching Altimira like a hawk. He could be on another level compared to anyone else they’re even considering.
The Reds are always looking to solidify their squad and dominate the midfield. With numbers like these, missing out on Altimira would be a massive oversight. This isn’t just about a potential signing; it’s about securing a world-class talent who can transform a midfield. Keep an eye on Sporting CP, because this kid is going to explode into the global spotlight, and Liverpool should be first in line when he does.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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