Liverpool and Manchester United are believed to be vying for the signing of Juventus centre-back Pierre Kalulu, according to a fresh transfer claim.
The Reds continue to be linked with central defensive additions, during a season in which they have looked short of options and have been hugely reliant on Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate staying fit.
Neither have hit top form either, especially the latter, and it is vital that Jeremy Jacquet isn’t the only addition in the summer transfer window.
According to a new report from Caught Offside, Kalulu is being eyed up by Liverpool, with a source providing them with some key information about him being scouted, and more:
“United and Liverpool have had scouts watch Kalulu play recently and the feedback has been very positive. United are looking at a long list of options and Kalulu is one they really like. We can also expect Liverpool to step up their interest, whether or not they lose Ibrahima Konate.”
How good could Pierre Kalulu be for Liverpool?
Kalulu is a highly impressive performer for Juve, and he could be an ideal man to bring in alongside Jacquet at the end of the season.
The 25-year-old has won three caps for France, which is no mean feat considering the depth they have at centre-back, including Konate, and journalist Paolo Aghemo has heaped praise on him, saying:
“Thiago Motta will have to manage the space for alternatives and in particular, there in the middle of the defence Pierre Kalulu is emerging as a true leader, who is a player that Cristiano Giuntoli has focused on , together with the coach in the summer market. So Kalulu is increasingly a fixed point for this Juventus. He was stratospheric in some recoveries right in Leipzig to maintain the advantage gained by Juventus.”
Kalulu is both experienced and relatively young in equal measure, meaning Liverpool would be signing a player for the present and the future, and 140 appearances in Serie A are a testament to his pedigree as a top-level centre-back.
Juve are understandably keen to keep hold of a key man – he is contracted until the summer of 2029 – so only a hefty bid is likely to give the Reds a chance of signing him.