Former Cameroon defender Joel Matip will leave Anfield at the end of the season as his contract expires. Filsil Van Dijk, soon to turn 33, is also at an age where he could drop off at any time, so reinforcements for the next generation are essential.
Liverpool made a move for a centre-back last summer, but this summer’s transfer market will finally get serious. Although they are mainly looking for a left-footed centre-back, they have a list of various targets, not limited to their dominant foot.
According to Italian newspaper Tutto Juve, both Liverpool and Newcastle United are interested in Spanish U-21 defender Dean Huijsen, who was on loan at AS Roma from Juventus.
The 19-year-old centre-back, who is adept with both feet, has made 14 Serie A appearances this season and has developed his experience in the top flight, and at 1.97cm tall, he has a high level of footwork and feeding ability up front that centre-backs need these days, in addition to his defensive skills.
However, he is not expected to be a regular contender at Anfield right now and is treated as a promising prospect. Juventus have no intention of releasing the promising young defender, and a large transfer fee is required to acquire the Amsterdam-born defender, who is under contract until June 2028.
For Liverpool, the realistic route would be to add a new left-back, while giving a chance to 22-year-old defender Sepp van den Berg, who has performed outstandingly during his loan spell at Mainz, to add depth to the final line.
Will the future really be the future of a Dutch-born Spanish U-21 defender from the Netherlands playing in Italy at Anfield…?