Despite having Virgil van Dijk and some top-class resources at centre-back, the Reds might dip into the market for defensive reinforcements should Joël Matip or Dejan Lovren move on in the summer.
The Rome edition of Leggo has reported that Manchester United are desperate to activate the release clause of Roma defender Kostas Manolas in the summer – we should wrest the deal from them.
A quality centre-back, the 27-year-old Greece international would be available for just €36 million if we trigger the clause in his contract.
There would be the added bonus of depriving United of his talents, plus his time with Roma could mean that we would profit from the connection he has with our ex-Roma ‘keeper Alisson Becker.
Of course, this all depends on Jürgen Klopp making space in the squad for him. Joe Gomez looks set to partner Van Dijk in the starting XI, but we need even deeper reserves to challenge on all fronts.
Fan Opinion: Are you happy with Liverpool’s center back options?
Or do you think they should try and get a new backup, or a new starting CB to couple up with Van Dijk? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/5q4oApQhgO
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) April 16, 2019
Rumours have suggested that Lovren may be allowed to depart for around the £30 million mark if we did want to offload the injury-prone 29-year-old, and, incidentally, there is interest from Serie A clubs.
Manolas, however, is under contract at Roma until 2022, but if they fail to make the top four in Serie A he could be one of a number of big names that could depart the capital come the summer.
He has recently employed the services of Mino Raiola who we’ve had beef with in the past after he took umbrage at the perceived ill-treatment of Mario Balotelli when he was still on our books.
That could be one sticking point in the deal; but if the money’s right, and the Italian-born Dutch agent stands to make a hefty commission from it, he might still let bygones be bygones.
Leggo are reporting that the centre-back, who has made 200 appearances for I Giallorossi, could soon be ready to end his time at the club in the close season.
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