“Liverpool will see a player at Valencia. They will negotiate, they want to sign.”

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Liverpool are reportedly scouting German international centre-back Shkodran Mustafi this Sunday when he plays for Valencia against out Europa League opponents Villarreal.

The 24-year-old has represented Germany at every youth level, and is expected to travel with the World Cup winners to Euro 2016 as well.

“Liverpool will see a player at VCF on Sunday, [Shkodran] Mustafi. They will negotiate, they want to sign,” Spanish football journalist Dani Moreno told RadioEsport Valencia.

Interestingly, Mustafi knows Liverpool as a city very well, as he played for Everton’s youth sides between 2009 and 2012. In fact, he made a first-team appearance for our rivals in the Europa League, and was named on various Premier League benches under David Moyes as well.

The last player to make the switch across Stanley Park was Abel Xavier in 2002, and while Nick Barmby did the same in 2000, no player previously had gone Everton then Liverpool since Dave Hickson in 1959.

Mustafi also has Serie A experience with Sampdoria, but has really progressed in Spain with Valencia and is an automatic starter at the heart of their defence. He prides himself on his aerial prowess and ability to step out of defence and make a tackle or interception.

With Mamadou Sakho set to face a lengthy ban for failing a drugs test, Kolo Toure out of contract and serious doubts about Martin Skrtel, it appears Jurgen Klopp is looking for central defensive reinforcements ahead of next season.

Reports yesterday suggested we were considering Thomas Vermaelen as well, so it looks like at least one defender will be signed come the end of the campaign.

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