Liverpool are putting their foot on the gas as they attempt to reconfigure their central defensive options this year.
Many supporters had been hoping that the Reds would have made a January signing at centre-back, but with just two days left of the window that is looking increasingly unlikely.
Instead, it is full steam ahead on plans for the summer, with reports on Saturday claiming that Liverpool are in talks with Rennes over a move to sign 20-year-old Jeremy Jacquet.
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Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes watches from the stands as the Reds take on Chelsea in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones
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Chelsea are looking to trump the Reds and bring the player to England this winter, but Rennes are reportedly holding firm on a summer exit.
Although that is good news for Liverpool, there appears to be no better than a 50/50 chance of Jacquet choosing the Reds over the Blues. As a result, Richard Hughes needs a back-up, and according to journalist Lewis Steele, that could be Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez.
Joel Ordonez may be Liverpool’s second choice target
Ordonez was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool at the beginning of the January window. And although those reports were dismissed at the time, the link has never fully gone away.
Speaking to The Redmen TV, Steele suggests that the reason for this could be because Liverpool are ‘parking’ the Ecuadorian as a potential summer target in case they cannot get Jacquet.
Joel Ordonez pictured in action during Club Brugge's UEFA Champions League match against Arsenal.
Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
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“The Ordonez one was parked, as you say. Parked, as in not completely shoved away, I got the impression,” said the reporter.
“It was more of a, ‘not one right now,’ but it wasn’t a, ‘he’s not one ever.’ It’s clear Liverpool have been at Club Brugge games to watch him, so that could be one to consider.
“But it looks like Jeremy Jacquet could be number one. He is one of the options but it appears that Chelsea are probably still the front-runners.”
How happy would you be if Liverpool sign Joel Ordonez?
A move is reportedly on the verge of being sealed!
Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge pictured during the UEFA Champions League match against Sporting Lisbon de Portugal at Jose Alvalade Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey
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Liverpool could sign Jacquet and Ordonez
There is a scenario where Liverpool need to sign two centre-backs this summer. One is clearly going to be needed to replace Ibrahima Konate, but there are due to be another couple of vacancies over the next year as well.
Joe Gomez could well leave at the end of the season too, and if that happens then a new addition will be required.
Furthermore, Virgil van Dijk’s contract runs until 2027 and although the Dutchman could sign an extension, preparations should be put together for his eventual succession.
From that perspective, only Giovanni Leoni is guaranteed to be at Liverpool in 18 months’ time, meaning there is an awful lot of work for Hughes, Michael Edwards and co to do.
Signing Jacquet would be a start, but there is an argument that the Reds could actually sign both the Frenchman and Ordonez and still not be fully sorted. It should not be one or the other for Liverpool, we think it could actually be both.
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