I think we should take a gamble with a youngster. Due to the current situation in Turkey, I wouldn't mind if we tried to lowball Beskitas and try get Özyakup even tho he's an ex Arsenal youngster.
There are numerous youngster with potential - Bazoer, Dahoud, v Ginkel, Tolisso, Klaassen, Tielemans (haven't heard of him much anymore).. maybe even some youngish Italians... I remember Baselli but think he's a bit older already. Villarreal also has Trigueros.
Thing is... there's only potential out there. I don't remember the midfield being so lacking for a while. Who are the world classish players out there? Modric perhaps, Kroos might also go there. Pogba has the ability to change games. Juve also has Marchisio. Bayern have... well.. Vidal and a shit-ton of potential.
Nainggolan isn't exactly world class - just a hard working scumbag who likes breaking Brazilians. Pjanic is inconsistent.
Chelsea has Mr. Fucking Kung-Foo Fabregas who sucks 50% of the time and the rest of the time it doesn't really matter. Matic isn't a "cm" and that's it for them...
Verratti is from P$G and is whipped by Nasser and will never leave unless Nasser gets tired of his boy-toy.
Gündogan is gone and "isn't injury prone" just has big injury after big injury...
So yeah.. Potential. Only solution.