After formally lacking out on Dean Huijsen, Liverpool at the moment are reportedly working behind the scenes to signal another defensive reinforcement on this summer season’s switch window.
Huijsen ignores Liverpool and Chelsea curiosity to hitch Actual Madrid
With Virgil van Dijk’s new deal lasting simply two years and Ibrahima Konate but to place pen to paper on a brand new contract of his personal only one 12 months earlier than he turns into a free agent, Liverpool have reportedly set their sights on signing one other centre-back this summer season.
And for a while, it appeared as if it might be Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen who arrived. Even the Cherries reportedly anticipated former chief Richard Hughes to snap up the defender’s signature.
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He appears to be like set to develop into their first signing of the summer season.
As Liverpool know all too effectively, nonetheless, a Actual Madrid name will not be one {that a} participant typically rejects and Huijsen has extra than simply answered. The Spaniard, earlier than the switch window has even opened, has formally accomplished his transfer to hitch the Spanish giants, the place he’ll line up subsequent to Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold subsequent season.
It is a killer blow for these at Anfield, who might be sick of the sight of Actual Madrid following the Alexander-Arnold saga and now this. However Florentino Perez is probably not carried out there with Liverpool.
In a repeat of his deal to signal their academy graduate on a free, the Madrid chief has now reportedly set his sights on signing Konate on the finish of his Liverpool deal subsequent summer season. Dropping Alexander-Arnold totally free was a blow, however shedding Konate for a similar cut price value must be a actuality that the Reds keep away from in any respect prices.
With Huijsen not an possibility and Konate doubt creeping in, Hughes has reportedly been pressured to show his consideration in the direction of another possibility.
Liverpool working to signal Nathan Zeze
In accordance with The Boot Room, Liverpool at the moment are working behind the scenes to signal Nathan Zeze from Nantes this summer season in a transfer that may see them bounce forward of Bournemouth.
It is a deal that would definitely make sense, too – the Cherries see Zeze as an excellent substitute for Huijsen, which means that the Reds might skip a step altogether by signing the Frenchman first.
League stats 24/25 per 90 (by way of FBref) | Nathan Zeze | Dean Huijsen | Ibrahima Konate |
---|---|---|---|
Minutes | 1,493 | 2,324 | 2,410 |
Progressive Passes | 2.77 | 4.96 | 3.92 |
Tackles Gained | 1.33 | 1.01 | 0.97 |
Ball Recoveries | 3.73 | 3.91 | 3.32 |
Though the 19-year-old has struggled to match Huijsen when progressing play, his numbers out of possession spotlight a participant who might be an excellent candidate to switch Konate within the coming years.
Included in an “elite” group of gamers by soccer expertise scout Jacek Kulig final season, Zeze has solely kicked on ever since. Within the face of a centre-back dilemma, Liverpool might do lots worse than turning in the direction of the younger Nantes star when the summer season switch window swings open.