Liverpool have reportedly identified a £43m alternative to Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi in case Man City or Chelsea sign him.
The Reds similarly began their Champions League campaign to how their Premier League season has gone so far, with a late winner. Virgil Van Dijk scored a 92nd-minute winner against Atletico Madrid, to start off with three points.
This weekend, they return to the Premier League with a game against rivals Everton, and will hope to make it five wins from five in the league.
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However, there is still a big transfer story rumbling on at Liverpool, with the Reds still very keen to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi in the January transfer window. However, Guehi has also been linked with moves to Man City and Chelsea, and so there is a chance that Arne Slot could miss out on the England international.
Liverpool identify Barcelona star as Guehi alternative
If the Reds fail to land Guehi in January, they will have to consider other targets, and reports in Spain say that they are monitoring Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo, who has been previously linked with Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City.
Spanish news outlet Fichajes claim that Liverpool are willing to offer £43m to sign the Uruguay international to help bolster their defence, the area that most needs additions in January.
Barcelona are reportedly open to selling the 26-year-old should they receive a suitable offer. His current market value is estimated at £34m, so the La Liga giants would surely accept a bid from Liverpool of over £40m.
Araujo has made two La Liga appearances for Barcelona so far this season, after a year where he appeared 25 times for Barcelona, scoring two goals and two assists. He can also feature as a right-back, and his versatile nature could be very handy for Slot, especially if the Reds start to see more frequent injuries as the season rolls on.
Click here to see Liverpool’s current first team squad ahead of the first Merseyside derby of the year.