Joel Matip, a 32-year-old defender who joined on a free transfer from Schalke and has been a long-time supporter of Liverpool’s final line, is leaving Anfield at the end of his contract. Virgil van Dijk is also the same age and it is time to look at a generational change in the centre-backs.
And Liverpool, who will be making a serious move for a centre-back they have been trying to acquire since last summer, have a list of defenders who have shown their ability in Europe and their scouting team is evaluating their performances.
France U-23 defender Leny Yoro, who is emerging in Ligue 1, has been mentioned in the rumour mill on several occasions. According to Le Parisien, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on the player and could battle it out with the moneyed clubs in the transfer market this summer.
At 18, the young centre-back has made 60 first-team appearances for Lille and is under contract until June 2025. Although he has little time remaining, his high potential is expected to cost his club €60 million, and the club in the Spanish capital is hesitant.
With reports circulating that the player also wants to move to Spain, Liverpool may not stand a chance. In addition, it is unlikely that the club would be foolish enough to spend €60 million on a player with a year left on his contract, and is unlikely to move for him unless the price is halved or less.
In the first place, Liverpool are after a left-handed centre-back, and it is unlikely that they would be serious about a right-handed defender at this time.
If they were to acquire him, he would be a great asset as he is expected to play at the top level for the next decade or more, but with world-class centre-backs such as Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah in the squad, the need for such a player is mind-boggling.
It seems unlikely that the French defender will cross over to Anfield based on this summer’s priority reinforcement points, but…!