Liverpool’s ‘top priority’ this summer will likely be the signing of a new centre-half.
That’s the word coming from the ever-reliable king of football transfers, Fabrizio Romano.
“I think the top priority for Liverpool will be the new centre-back. What they really want to do as priority target is the new centre-back and then an offensive addition is also important and possible in case they find the right opportunity,” the CaughtOffside columnist told The Debrief podcast.
This follows the departure of Joel Matip at the end of the 2023/24 season, with his contract expiring at the end of June.
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What’s Liverpool’s current defensive situation?
As things currently stand, Arne Slot inherits a backline containing:
- Andy Robertson (left-back)
- Kostas Tsimikas (left-back)
- Virgil van Dijk (left-sided centre-back)
- Ibrahima Konate (right-sided centre-back)
- Jarell Quansah (right-sided centre-back)
- Joe Gomez (right-sided centre-back, left-back and right-back)
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (right-back)
- Conor Bradley (right-back)
The obvious gap to fill is backup for our talismanic No.4, Virgil van Dijk, who is set to turn 33 this July.
That said, the departure of Matip, coupled with the injury-prone nature of Konate and Quansah’s relative inexperience, does leave us in a precarious situation on the right side of defence.
What centre-backs are Liverpool reportedly interested in?
In recent weeks we’ve seen Lille’s Leny Yoro rise up the ranks on the transfer rumour mill.
The teenager is reportedly being courted by Europe’s elite clubs, including the likes of PSG and Real Madrid, ahead of the opening of the summer window on June14.
Los Blancos are allegedly not prepared to do a deal in the upcoming window, however, which could open the door for clubs like Liverpool.
Forget all about Goncalo Inacio this summer; Ian Doyle reports that the Portuguese star is ‘understood to not be high up the shortlist’.
Willian Pacho of Frankfurt is another name we’re reportedly keeping an eye on, though links have become somewhat cold of late.