Liverpool and Manchester United are both believed to be “monitoring” Newcastle United centre-back Malick Thiaw, who could cost as much as £70 million.
The Reds will know they must continue to eye up defensive reinforcements, with Virgil van Dijk now 35 years of age and sadly unable to go on forever.
Granted, the Liverpool captain has largely looked as good as ever so far this season, but they need to plan, even though Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are hugely exciting long-term options at the heart of the defence.
According to a report from Caught Offside, Thiaw has emerged as a new target for the Reds, with Premier League rivals United also very much in the mix.
It is claimed that “sources close to the agents industry” believed the two clubs are “monitoring” the Newcastle man, who is valued between £65-70 million, but the Magpies have “no intention” of selling currently.
Malick Thiaw could be a strong addition for Liverpool
Thiaw has impressed in a Newcastle shirt to date, adding physicality and consistency to the defence and being lauded by former manager Eddie Howe last season:
“He’s been excellent intraining. The challenge for him was to wait for his opportunity because Sven [Botman] and Dan [Burn] started the season and our defensive record and the defensive performances were excellent. So, there was a period where he had to be patient and wait, and he did and he was absolutely fine.”
Thiaw, who has seven caps for Germany, is clearly never going to hit Van Dijk’s level – who is, in truth? – but he would be a good signing for Liverpool, especially as he now has Premier League experience.
He is still only 25, so his best years are likely to be coming soon, and the only stumbling block is the fact that Newcastle understandably want to keep hold of him.
This season, Thiaw has averaged five clearances and 3.7 aerial duel wins per game in the Premier League, showing his dominance at centre-back, and there is plenty to like about him from a Liverpool perspective.
A summer move at the end of the campaign should be considered by whoever the Reds’ new sporting director is.