Liverpool, who are targeting young centre-backs to replace Joel Matip, have listed a wide variety of defenders since last summer and scouted their performances for their respective teams.
Some players have been in contact with their agents and are being investigated around contracts, including the transfer fee required by the club.
While the transfer market has opened and clubs have made reinforcements, Liverpool have yet to sign anyone. Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori, who was briefly rumoured to be of interest, is close to a move to Arsenal, while France Under-23 defender Leny Yoro is also said to be interested in a move to Real Madrid.
While a number of candidates were floated, the name of Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt, who has increasingly warmed the bench at Bayern Munich, was also mentioned in the media at times.
He was recognised as a young defender of the next generation during his time at Ajax, but since then he seems to have been sluggish.
Christian Falk, a German journalist, touched on the player’s departure on the FC Bayern Insider podcast and said that the Dutch national team’s will is leaning towards joining Manchester United, despite attempts by Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool to snatch him away.
The 24-year-old centre-back is prepared to accept a pay cut with regard to a move to United. With a Premier League landing looming, will the player, who has plenty of experience in Holland, Italy and Germany, be a troublesome opponent for Liverpool…?