Liverpool are already looking ahead to what their first summer transfer window under Arne Slot could bring.
With the Premier League title race now out of Liverpool’s grasp, excitement can start to build for the post-Jurgen Klopp era.
And although the next couple of weeks should be reserved for saying goodbye to an all-time great Liverpool manager, it’s hard not to think of what comes next at Anfield.
As the past couple of months have shown, there are definite areas that need upgrading in the Reds first-team squad. Slot, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are going to have to address those.
Perhaps the most pressing matter is finding a new, top-class centre-back. And as per reports on Monday, that’s exactly where Liverpool’s priority lies. Thankfully, after an X update from journalist Fabrizio Romano on Tuesday, the Reds might have found a cut-price answer.
Liverpool should look at Armel Bella-Kotchap
Rewind to this time last year, and it had been thought that Liverpool would look at signing a centre-back in 2023. The midfield was the main focus, but it was clear 12 months ago that a new defender was needed.
In the end that didn’t happen, with Jarell Quansah ultimately stepping forward to superbly claim a place in the senior team.
Had Quansah not kicked on though, there were still names doing the rounds in connection to Liverpool. One was Southampton centre-back Armel Bella-Kotchap.
After an impressive debut season in the Premier League, Bella-Kotchap looked set to leave relegated Southampton. In the end he did so, but only on-loan to PSV Eindhoven. Since then the German has had a frustrating time with injury, playing just six times for the Eredivisie leaders.
Still, Bella-Kotchap’s quality and potential remain. At just 22, he could be a star for now and – perhaps more importantly – the future. That’s why Romano’s claim that Bella-Kotchap will once again be on the market this summer is interesting.
“Armel Bella-Kotchap, likely to leave Southampton at the end of the season with several clubs interested in him from Germany, Italy and England,” says the journalist. “Understand price tag will be around €20m [£17m].”
Will Liverpool be interested
From what we know about Liverpool’s recruitment under Edwards, this is exactly the kind of deal that the transfer guru usually goes for; cheap and relatively risk-free with huge upside.
There’s little question that with the Reds on the lookout for a centre-back, Bella-Kotchap will at least cross Edwards’ radar. However, having struggled so much at PSV this season, his stock has really fallen.
It’s also worth pointing out that Liverpool are often said to have been looking for a left-footed defender, which the Southampton man is not.
Still, that shouldn’t be a necessity for a new signing. The other options on Liverpool’s list, like Willian Pacho for instance, would cost a whole lot more.
So, if the Reds are after a bargain basement signings – as we know they like – why can’t Bella-Kotchap be the solution to their centre-back problem.
