Joel Matip, a 32-year-old defender, is increasingly likely to leave the club at the end of the season. Vilgil Van Dijk, who is the same age, is also nearing the end of his career, and the need to acquire a young center back who can carry the next generation has long been voiced.
Interest in England defender Levi Colwill, who extended his contract with Chelsea last summer, is still rumored, but other names such as Sporting defender Goncalo Inácio and other defenders in their early 20s from Europe and South America are being tossed around every day.
According to 90min, Liverpool is also interested in Uruguayan U-20 defender Facundo González, who is on loan to Sampdoria from Juventus this season, and is listed as a long-term player for the back line.
The 20-year-old center back, who just arrived in Italy from Valencia in the summer of 2023, will fight for a one-year contract in Serie B. In the domestic league, he grabbed a permanent place from the ninth round and has since played every game in full except for a suspension due to cumulative warnings.
In addition to his height (193 cm), he has the high technique required of a modern center back. He is also a tenacious defender, as is typical of the Uruguayan, and can create chances at a moment’s notice with accurate long feeds from the final line.
He has yet to play in the top league in Spain or in Italy, and is one of the most promising young slots. Whether or not he will be acquired depends on his future success, and it is unlikely that he will embark on an acquisition before the end of 2024.
Will there be a future for a Uruguayan center back playing at Anfield in a few years?