Liverpool have reportedly made an offer for Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen.
The Echo reports that Jurgen Klopp is not looking for another new centre-back this summer unless Mamadou Sakho is slapped with a lengthy ban by UEFA for his doping offence.
Should the Frenchman be available from the start of the season, we would likely have a four-man centre-back unit of Sakho, Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez, with Martin Skrtel expected to leave.
But the absence of Sakho would leave Klopp light at the back, and Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, cited by the Echo, claim that we have registered our interest in former Arsenal captain Vermaelen.
The report adds that West Ham United, Inter Milan, Napoli and Besiktas have also made bids for the Belgian, who is looking to leave Barcelona this summer because of a lack of regular game time.
The 30-year-old is a cultured and strong defender but his injury record would make him a risky signing. If we do end up needing Sakho cover, we assume Neven Subotic would be higher on Klopp’s shortlist.
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