Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool face a defensive crisis ahead of their clash with Qarabag, with Giovanni Leoni, Joe Gomez, and Ibrahima Konate all sidelined, leaving just Virgil van Dijk as a fully fit, recognised centre-back.
Marc Guehi’s move to Manchester City this January transfer window still stings for Reds supporters. The 25-year-old had been close to joining Liverpool, even completing a medical, but Crystal Palace pulled the plug at the last minute las summer.
City stepped in with a £20million deal, which Liverpool chose not to match, leaving them light at the back. With Leoni out for the season, Liverpool’s remaining options are van Dijk, the injury-prone Gomez, and Konate, whose contract expires this summer. The squad is thin at centre-back.
Attention now turns to potential replacements. Dayot Upamecano has long been on Liverpool’s radar. The Bayern Munich defender is physically imposing and highly sought after.
His contract runs out this summer, and he has been free to negotiate pre-contracts since January. The Bundesliga champions have offered a renewal, but the 27-year-old has yet to commit.
Upamecano is stalling on a new contract and is “waiting” on interest from Liverpool and Real Madrid, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg. “Everyone is waiting for his commitment, his signature. His contract is ready. But Bayern Munich will not improve their offer,” Plettenberg told Sky Sports News.
“Upamecano can sign it, [taking him until] 2030 or 2031. There’s a release clause included from the summer of 2027. He can earn 20m Euros gross per year and receive a big signing feed, together with his agent.
“But Bayern is waiting for weeks, they want a decision soon. But my opinion is he’s waiting for Liverpool, for Real Madrid. Liverpool is interested in Upamecano, we can confirm that.”
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