Liverpool have reportedly entered the battle to sign star Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk in the summer. Chelsea and Manchester City were long believed to be leading the race to sign the rock solid Dutchman but now Jurgen Klopp seems to be keen on landing the centre-half.
The Reds are prepared to spend as much as £50 million for the former Celtic defender. Everton manager Ronald Koeman is also said to be interested in reuniting with the defender, with whom he worked at Southampton before he took over at the Merseyside club.
Liverpool have clearly struggled to defend and have the worst defensive record among the top-6 teams in the current Premier League table. Though scoring goals has not been a problem for the Reds, despite not having an established striker in their ranks, they have failed to keep things tight at the back.
Mane’s departure to play in the Africa Cup of Nations did coincide with Liverpool’s dramatic fall in form, but it’s been their defensive woes that have played the part in what has been a satisfying season so far, despite a failed title bid.
It is believed that Liverpool are willing to spend a record amount of money in the summer to bolster their squad and be ready to compete in the Champions League next season.
Liverpool do have a quality defender in Mamadou Sakho out on loan and whether or not will he have a future at Anfield is unknown.
Klopp said about Sakho’s future:
“You can imagine like all the plans we have for next season, we speak about behind closed doors. In the moment when we have to say something, we will say something. I see a lot of Premier League games so I see Crystal Palace too and I see how he is playing there and all this stuff.”
The German manager also spoke about Sturridge saying,
“We are in the season and around this, we plan different things like transfers, as you can imagine, but who will leave we have never thought about it.”
For now, it seems like Klopp hasn’t made a decision as to who will leave the club in the summer. But one thing that looks certain is that the club are pursuing their transfer targets and are clear about which areas they want to strengthen in the summer.
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