Joel Matip, who is currently out injured, is on track to leave the club as his contract is about to expire in June 2024.Joe Gomez has now transformed himself into a versatile player who can play not only both flanks but also as a defensive midfielder.
Liverpool is looking to secure a center back behind Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Jarell Quansah. The club has a history of chasing left-handed center backs during last summer’s transfer window, and the acquisition of a young defender is said to be a top priority this summer.
According to O Jogo, Liverpool are interested in 20-year-old defender Ousmane Diomande, who plays for Sporting, and could join Arsenal, Chelsea, and Newcastle United in the race.
The report also claims that the player’s current contract comes with a termination clause of 80 million euros, which means that any club that wants to acquire the player would have to pay more than the same amount.
The center back, who has also made four appearances for the Ivory Coast national team, is under contract with the Portuguese club until June 2027.
He has excellent athleticism and a good build, as well as the good footwork that is essential for a modern defender. He can provide accurate feeds up front, and his wedge passes to the forwards are first class, giving him extraordinary potential.
He started playing for Sporting in the middle of last season, and in the second half of the season, he won a regular place in the first team. He has been a starter since the opening round of the domestic league this season, and with the exception of the Africa Cup of Nations, has remained in the starting lineup.
The young center back has the potential to become a world-class center back in the future, but will he make the step up to the world’s top league in this summer’s transfer market?