Liverpool are now reportedly interested in completing the signing of Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu in the summer transfer window.
The Reds’ central defensive options remain up in the air heading into the summer, with Ibrahima Konate still not signing a contract extension.
It feels likely that the Frenchman will end up extending his stay at Liverpool, but even if he does, another defender is required alongside the incoming Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes.
According to journalist Mark Brus on his Substack [via Empire of the Kop], Liverpool are monitoring the £35m-rated Kalulu ahead of a potential move to Anfield at the end of the season, adding:
“I feel I should also share some information, however, from sources who’ve done a lot of work in and around the agents industry, who state that the strong suspicion is that Juve would sell for the right price, perhaps around €40m [£34.5m], especially if the player won’t agree to a new contract.”
Could Pierre Kalulu shine for Liverpool in the coming years?
Kalulu may not be a world-class defender who could be the natural heir to Virgil van Dijk, but that’s not to say that he couldn’t be a strong signing for Liverpool.
The 25-year-old has started 34 Serie A matches for Juve this season, averaging 1.6 tackles per game and registering four assists in Serie A, with Stefano Pioli hailing him in the past:
“He is a starter, he plays with strength, courage and personality. He surprised me at the beginning, but now he doesn’t surprise me anymore. His strength is to face every game with great conviction and confidence. He has physical means and important vision: for me, he is absolutely a Milan-worthy starter.”
Kalulu is predominantly a centre-back, but he can also do a job at right-back which could appeal to Liverpool, given their issues surrounding Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong, given the former’s injury record and the latter’s struggles since joining.
He has also won three caps for France, which is no mean feat in an era where they have so many elite defensive options, including Konate, and he could be a shrewd addition for the Reds ahead of what is hopefully a more positive future at Anfield.