Liverpool are set for many changes this summer with Arne Slot looking to revamp his squad.
The Anfield outfit may have been one of the most dominant teams in the Premier League last season, but with their title rivals strengthening their ranks, Liverpool have to do the same.
Indeed, Slot looks set to welcome Florian Wirtz to Merseyside over the next week or so, and while the addition of the young German is a major statement of intent, other areas within the squad need attention.
Liverpool Training Session
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This is why it isn’t much of a surprise to see the rumour mill going into overdrive with new players being linked almost every day.
Liverpool set to battle Chelsea for the transfer of Benfica’s Tomas Araujo
Over the last few years, Benfica have produced some world-class talent such as Joao Felix and Darwin Nunez, both of whom earned themselves mega-money moves.
And, even though they may have missed out on the Liga Portugal title by two points this season, there’s still some top-level talent within their ranks.
With this in mind, a new report from Portuguese outlet A Bola has emerged with the Reds now being linked with a move for Tomas Araujo.
The centre-back has been previously compared to Spanish legend Gerard Pique, with the report outlining that Liverpool are ‘looking for a centre-back’ after missing out on Dean Huijsen, who chose to move to Real Madrid.
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Regarding Chelsea, he tops their list of ‘favourites’ as they also look to strengthen their back line.
A Bola do, however, add that Benfica are ‘not looking to sell him’ this summer despite being under ‘threat’ by the Blues.
Araujo also has an €80million (£68million) release clause within his contract.
Vitoria SC v Sport Lisboa e Benfica - Liga Portugal Betclic
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Liverpool need a new centre-back this summer
With Ibrahima Konate’s Anfield future still up in the air and Jarell Quansah getting linked with moves away, there’s no knowing how different Liverpool’s defensive line could look by the start of the 2025-26 season.
Jeremie Frimpong has already been brought in by Slot and will no doubt be looking to stake his claim for the starting right-back spot in Liverpool’s team.
There’s also no denying that Huijsen was the Reds’ dream target for centre-back, with the young Spaniard having a breakout season at Bournemouth.
However, with Quansah getting linked with the Bundesliga and Joe Gomez also being linked with a move away, many changes could be afoot.
Indeed, only time will tell what the future holds, but if Liverpool don’t sign a new centre-back this summer, they could find themselves in a spot of bother.