After Nunez: Liverpool plot bid for £83.6m "absolute monster", he's a dream VVD heir
Liverpool have enjoyed a successful season winning both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup,
but they are now ready to go again next season and could be set to bolster their squad beyond
finding a Sadio Mane replacement this summer.
According to Italian news outlet Calciomercato, Liverpool are interested in signing Matthijs
de Ligt this summer.
As per the report, the Reds are one of the most interested clubs in taking advantage
of stalling contract talks between Juventus and the young defender, but they are not alone
in their interest.
Manchester United, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are all named as parties who
will compete with Liverpool to secure the signing.
The news comes amidst a potentially record-breaking swoop for Benfica striker Darwin Nunez who
could move to Merseyside this summer.
There is no doubt that Liverpool have one of the best defensive set-ups in European
football boasting top talents like Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson
and Joel Matip, however Klopp could be planning for the future when it comes to their most
recent rumoured transfer target.
Both Matip and Van Dijk are now in their 30s and whilst they have many years ahead of them
as well as a reliable youngster in Ibrahima Konate rotating into the centre-back partnership,
if the reports are true FSG are clearly planning ahead to make sure they’re not caught short
in their back-line.
De Light who was hailed an “absolute monster” by journalist Carlo Garganese has had an outstanding
season in Serie A with Juventus.
According to SofaScore, the £83.6m star scored three goals and created three big chances,
whilst making 1.1 tackles, 3.1 clearances and taking 64.5 touches on average per game.
He also won the majority of his duels (62%) and was successful in the majority of his
dribbles (67%), proving he is a nightmare for any forward line.
The 22-year-old dubbed “incredible” by Andrea Barzagli would be the perfect heir
to eventually succeed Matip and van Dijk when the time comes, but there is one huge problem
that puts the entire idea of the potential transfer in question.
De Ligt would only be willing to make the move to Liverpool if he was paid £200k-per-week,
something that would be unfathomable in FSG’s tight wage structure and would put him at
the top end with the likes of Mo Salah and Van Dijk who perform and play week in week
out, which would be unlikely for the youngster due to the strength in defence.
With that being said, FSG will need to carefully consider their move for De Ligt and weigh
up their options as there are other areas of the squad that need strengthening, so to
offer a player they don’t necessarily needs the kind of salary he demands would likely
be a non-starter.