Liverpool are readying their moves in what is expected to be a busy transfer window.
The Reds are looking in good shape ahead of Arne Slot’s arrival this weekend, but a couple of areas still need addressing.
If Liverpool are to challenge for the Premier League again in Slot’s debut campaign, there’s a feeling that the first-team squad needs tweaking slightly.
And while a new attacker is reportedly being targeted, it’s in defence where Liverpool have the most pressing concern.
Heartily, it sounds like the Reds are doing what they can to remedy this weakness. However, as has become a familiar tale, Real Madrid are lurking with intent.
Real Madrid planning move for Leny Yoro
Liverpool’s need for a new centre-back was highlighted expertly by Jamie Carragher at the back end of the season.
With Ibrahima Konate struggling for form and Joel Matip leaving the club, it’s the right time for Liverpool to make a new addition.
Although it has been claimed that the Reds will look to the Bundesliga to sign one of two players, the strongest links so far have been to Lille teenager Leny Yoro.
Despite claims that Liverpool are ready to push to sign Yoro though, they are reportedly pessimistic that they will eventually get their man.
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, the Reds believe that the 18-year-old has his heart set on joining Real Madrid instead.
This is now backed up by a report from The Daily Mail. They claim that while Yoro is ‘aware’ of interest from Liverpool and PSG, his ‘number one choice’ is to move to Madrid.
This is said to have led to confidence from the La Liga giants that they can sign the Frenchman. While Lille are claimed to value him at £50m, Real will reportedly lodge a £30m bid after Saturday’s Champions League final.
Who Liverpool could sign instead
It feels unlikely that Yoro would be Liverpool’s top choice for a new centre-back this summer.
The France U21 international is obviously a huge talent, you don’t get interest from Real Madrid if you’re not.
But FSG also aren’t silly. They know that if the Spanish champions come in for a player then more often than not he’s going to choose to join them.
It wouldn’t seem especially in-keeping with what we know about Liverpool’s transfer strategy to put all their eggs in a basket like that.
Instead, we think it’s more likely that the Reds go after someone like Willian Pacho of Eintracht Frankfurt. Juventus youngster Dean Huijsen could be another to keep an eye on.
Or, it isn’t out of the question that Liverpool don’t sign anyone at all. Sepp van den Berg is due to be given a chance in pre-season and if he can step up, the Reds will be covered. Our advice: don’t pin any hopes on Yoro.