Liverpool looks set for a transfer battle with rivals Manchester United and other clubs in the transfer market, with a Barcelona defender being heavily linked with a switch
Andoni Iraola the head coach / manager of AFC Bournemouth celebrates during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester United
Liverpool is set to battle Manchester United for a defender(Image: (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images))
Liverpool is already making plans for future transfer windows, with several problem areas likely to be present in the mind of sporting director Julian Ward.
That includes the defence, where almost every position will need to be considered. At right-back, the Reds have had trouble following the exit of Trent Alexander-Arnold, with loanee Ronald Araujo at least providing some light relief there for now, but a decision over his future will need to be made at the end of the season.
At centre-back, there are question marks over the futures of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, with the duo now in the final year of their contract, once again leaving the hierarchy with a decision on whether to extend the deal or look elsewhere for replacements. Then there's the left-back position, where Milos Kerkez hasn't quite convinced as of yet, while his backup, Kostas Tsimikas, is also a free agent at the end of the season.
While all of those issues will need to be considered, it's the latter position that appears to be getting some attention from Liverpool, with transfer links now emerging for the left flank.
That's because TeamTalk reports that Liverpool is exploring a potential deal for Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, with the report stating that intermediaries have offered the defender to the Reds.
That follows the Spaniard missing out on a switch to Manchester United in the summer, instead sticking with the Blaugrana in hopes of earning a place in Hansi Flick's side. So far, however, he has failed to convince the manager that he should be a regular starter.
Alejandro Balde of Barcelona
Alejandro Balde of Barcelona(Image: Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Balde's transfer situation has changed as a result, with a battle on the cards. Man United are seemingly back in the conversation, while so too is fellow Premier League clubs Sunderland, Everton and Fulham.
It's a move that could add extra quality and strength to the Liverpool backline, especially if Tsimikas leaves at the end of the season, but there may be some concerns.
By adding Balde to the squad, the Reds would effectively have two potentially starting left-backs in the team, with both Kerkez and the new arrival likely to want guarantees over minutes moving forward.
Not only would that make managing the squad balance awkward, but there may be other areas that are a more pressing concern for the hierarchy when it comes to where they allocate resources.
Right-back and centre-back may be required first, if the backline is a focus, while there have been doubts over the balance of the midfield, and the forward line is seemingly missing a right-wing option, despite interest in landing one over the summer.
Only the Liverpool recruitment team will know the priority each position will take up over the coming transfer windows, but with planning already underway, several targets will be in mind.