Liverpool may need to dip into the transfer market for a centre-back once again, with reports ramping up over a potential exit for Ibrahima Konate.
The 27-year-old is about to enter the final month of his contract at Anfield, and while discussions have been ongoing over an extension, it looks like those efforts will be fruitless.
Konate's potential exit from Liverpool leaves the club in a tricky situation once again, as they ponder their next move, with replacements likely to come to the fore.
Jeremy Jacquet's impending arrival from Rennes will help the Reds, while Giovanni Leoni's return from injury will also bolster the options available.
However, there are also questions over the longevity of Virgil van Dijk, who is now entering the final year of his own contract, meaning any transfer delayed this summer will only force a move next year.
So, with Konate's exit set to trigger a domino effect, here's a look at a few options Liverpool could look at to help replace the outgoing French defender.
Micky van de Ven (Tottenham)
Stand-in Tottenham Hotspur captain Micky van de Ven applauds fans
Micky van de Ven has been linked with Liverpool in the past, and it would be no surprise if he is once again after the news of Konate's departure.
The Tottenham star is rapid, among the quickest in the world in the backline, and has Premier League experience to bring across to Anfield.
At 25 years old, there is plenty of progression to come from Van de Ven, who has had some tough times in a Spurs shirt, but it could be a smart long-term move for Liverpool.
The defender's pace could help replace the speed that would be lost by Konate, while it could help cover Van Dijk and get the Reds back to a more intense style of play.
Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund)
Nico Schlotterbeck celebrating after scoring for Borussia Dortmund
Another defender approaching the peak years of his career is Nico Schlotterbeck. The German defender has impressed in the Bundesliga, since breaking through at Freiburg, before making the switch to Borussia Dortmund.
The 26-year-old has attracted plenty of interest, not just for his defensive exploits, but for the quality that he possesses on the ball to help teams build from the back.
Schlotterbeck signed a new deal back in April, extending his stay until 2031, but reports have claimed that a £52 million clause exists that could allow him to join a team he would view as a "dream club".
While Liverpool haven't been explicitly named as one of those "dream club" options, like Real Madrid have, it may be worth a shot to see if the centre-back fancies a move to the Premier League.
Castello Lukeba (RB Leipzig)
Castello Lukeba
Another up-and-coming defender in European football is Castello Lukeba of RB Leipzig, who continues to impress at the age of just 23 years old.
The Frenchman already has nearly 200 appearances to his name, having featured for Lyon before making his move to Germany, where he continues to steadily rise.
Not only would the defender offer promise for the future, but there could be a bargain on the cards, with Leipzig needing to sell players despite qualification to the Champions League.
That may help Liverpool land a player who will be in their backline for some time, while also landing an ideal transfer fee to free up funds elsewhere.
Levi Colwill (Chelsea)
Levi Colwill in action for Chelsea
Liverpool's interest in Levi Colwill in the past never led to a formal move being made, but perhaps it is time to revive that interest this summer.
Chelsea are in need of player sales to help generate revenue, after missing out on European qualification, and the defender would represent pure profit if a persuasive deal is on the table.
At 23, Colwill already looks like a centre-back playing well beyond his years, while he has shown elements of leadership that would be vital to Liverpool in this squad's new era.
The defender is home-grown, which helps with squad registration, while he has a contract that runs until 2029 which could offer a tiny bit of leverage in discussions.
There may be concerns over his recent ACL injury, but Colwill hasn't missed a beat since returning to the pitch, and would be a solid addition.
Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Jarell Quansah pushing Cole Palmer
Perhaps the easiest deal to complete is the one that Liverpool should be looking to sort. And in this instance, that is a return for Jarell Quansah.
The defender left the Reds last July to join Bayer Leverkusen, joining them for a fee worth up to £35 million, but the Reds inserted a buy-back clause.
That clause stands at roughly £69 million, and if terms can be agreed with the player, then a quick return could be on the cards for the young centre-back.
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This would be a blockbuster move.
Quansah has played 44 times for Leverkusen in the past season, scoring five goals in that time and impressing in Champions League outings.
The 23-year-old's return would help bolster the backline for the long-term, but it would prove costly to get done.