Liverpool could do with adding to their centre-back options - either in January or else summer 2026.
Arne Slot’s side are currently short of central defenders - owing to a failure to land Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day and the long-term injury suffered by Giovanni Leoni.
Sporting director Richard Hughes therefore could really do with boosting quality - and quantity - in the centre-back sector in order to relieve the burden on Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez.
Micky van de Ven is a long-term Arne Slot target
Konate, 26, will be out of contract at the end of the current season and if no new deal is agreed then he will be leaving for free.
And the future of Gomez is under threat too - with AC Milan readying a bid for the 28-year-old - who is out of contract like Van Dijk in 2027.
Liverpool have been linked with several defenders in this window including Guehi and Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge.
Now the club have received a MAJOR boost in their chase for a new centre-back with the news that a defensive target - and Arne Slot favourite is keen on joining.