Richard Hughes Liverpool
© IMAGO - Richard Hughes Liverpool
Liverpool are facing a period of upheaval in the centre of defence.
At the end of the current season Ibrahima Konate is out of contract - and if no new deal is agreed soon then the France international will be leaving for free.
The 26-year-old’s departure would create an immediate gap in the backline. Whether or not Jeremy Jacquet or Giovanni Leoni will be entrusted to fill it remains to be seen.
Jacquet, 20, will be arriving from Rennes once his £62m signing goes through while Leoni came on board from Parma last summer for £26m.
Given their relative lack of experience at the Premier League and Champions League level Richard Hughes may opt for a move proven player in the summer.
Liverpool again looking at Dean Huijsen
And according to a report in the Spanish press the Premier League champions are coming back in for a player they’ve looked at extensively.
Liverpool were for a long time considered potential suitors for Dean Huijsen - the 20-year-old defender who swapped Bournemouth for Real Madrid last summer.
Huijsen was thought to be on the radar for Liverpool before completing a dream deal to join the 15-time European champions.
But Fichajes claims Madrid are tempted by the prospect of cashing in on Huijsen - just one year on from his arrival from Bournemouth.
Liverpool are ready to offer £60m for the Dutch-born stopper - ensuring Madrid make their money back and more on the former Juventus and Roma player.
Madrid 'tempted' to sell Huijsen
“Liverpool have set their sights on the contract situation of Dean Huijsen, the young centre-back who currently plays for Real Madrid,” the report reads.
“The English club is reportedly willing to spend €70 million to convince Real Madrid's board this summer.
“The possibility of recouping the investment and obtaining an immediate profit is tempting the offices at the Santiago Bernabéu at the moment.”
Huijsen moved with a lofty reputation to the Bernabeu but has suffered criticism owing to an occasional inconsistency in his performances.
There is also the possibility that Liverpool look at other senior options - including Murillo of Nottingham Forest as well as Nico Schlotterbeck and Alessandro Bastoni.
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