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Konaté replacement
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It’s expected that Liverpool will be extremely busy in the transfer market again this summer with Andoni Iraola eager to put his imprint on the squad. Anfield chiefs decided the Spaniard was the perfect candidate to replace Arne Slot, after enjoying tremendous success at Bournemouth. Iraola’s priority this summer must be solving Liverpool's unbalanced squad and several areas of the pitch need strengthening after high-profile departures.
The Merseyside club invested heavily last summer to the tune of €481m but their two record signings, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, woefully underperformed. The duo, who cost a combined €270 million, will be expected to improve next season and that’ll boost Liverpool’s attack. A new centre-back has to be high on Iraola’s shopping list after Ibrahima Konaté rejected a lucrative contract extension to join Real Madrid. Significant fees were paid to acquire elite prospects Jérémy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni but with both recovering from long-term injuries, Liverpool require another option to compete for a starting berth next to Virgil van Dijk. Therefore, we’ve analysed five potential options, utilising our knowledge of the European market.
Five Liverpool centre-back targets
Nico Schlotterbeck was heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid before signing a new contract with Borussia Dortmund until 2031. It’s widely understood that a clause exists in his new deal includes a clause of around €50/60m that is active for major Eurppean clubs, including Liverpool. The 26-year-old would be an expensive option for Liverpool but that fee could represent good value for a very good centre-back in his prime years. Schlotterbeck is a guaranteed starter for Germany at the World Cup and a good tournament will only increase his reputation.
Micky van de Ven has been strongly linked with Liverpool in recent months and could reunite with Netherlands teammate Virgil van Dijk at club level. Van de Ven would be a very expensive option and Tottenham would command a fee in excess of his €50m valuation. Spurs, however, could be open to selling him on this summer as they’ve already signed Marcos Senesi and they’ll soon complete a new for another centre-back in Jan Paul van Hecke. One issue with Schlotterbeck and Van de Ven is that they are left-footed with Van Dijk preferring to play at left centre-back but he could switch.
Maxcene Lacroix was outstanding for Crystal Palace last season and there’s a feeling that he will depart the Eagles this summer. Liverpool missed out on Marc Guehi from Palace, but Lacroix would be an excellent addition and Premier League proven. He’s physically imposing, fast, excellent in the air and could form a strong partnership with Van Dijk, which would allow the two youngsters to develop. Palace would expect a fee slightly higher than his €50m valuation with Chelsea also keen.
It’s unlikely that Liverpool will pursue another emerging talent as they have Jacquet and Leoni but they’ve been strongly linked with Finn Jeltsch. The 19-year-old enjoyed his breakthrough season with Stuttgart, making 23 appearances in the Bundesliga and he also played ten times in the Europa League. In Germany, Jeltsch is viewed as a future starter for the national team with Bayern Munich, unsurprisingly, also monitoring his development.
Joel Ordóñez has been on the radar of several Premier League clubs for several years and Liverpool could make their move this summer. The 22-year-old remains relatively unknown as he’s playing in the Belgian league for Club Brugge, but he’s a tremendous talent and his reputation will likely soar as he’s a starter for Ecuador at the World Cup. He combines immense physicality with good ball-playing skills and he’s perfectly suited for the demands of the Premier League.
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