Liverpool are keen to find a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk and they have scouted three young centre-backs who are under consideration as targets, according to reports.
The Daily Mail claim that the Reds have looked at Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez, Wolfsburg’s Konstantinos Koulierakis and Parma’s Giovanni Leoni.
Ordonez has been linked with a switch to Anfield in past transfer windows, while Leoni has been mentioned as a potential target in the Italian press on several occasions this summer.
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Koulierakis is a fresher name. The Greek international only moved to Wolfsburg from PAOK last summer, and he caught the eye with his performances in the Bundesliga over the course of the 2024/25 campaign.
Ordonez may not be available for much longer
Marseille are believed to be closing in on a €33m (£29m) transfere for the Ecuadorian, so Arne Slot’s side may have to move fast if they want to secure the player’s services.
Of course, if they are going to pay that much for a centre-half, it’s likely the Merseysiders would prefer to spend spend it on Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi instead, who is also reportedly on the club’s radar.
Liverpool are not the favourites for Leoni
There have been several stories in Italy mentioning Slot’s team as a potential suitor for the Parma defender. Up until now, though, there has been a feeling that the 18-year-old would make the move to Inter Milan.
However, the Nerazzurri are said to be unwilling to match the player’s asking price, which is currently set at €40m (£35m). That is a very high valuation for someone who hasn’t even been a regular starter in Italy’s top flight for a full season.
Considering van Dijk has just turned 34, it won’t be long before he needs to be replaced, so recruiting a talented young defender who can learn from him would be the best solution. It remains to be seen, though, who the club will pick.
Read more about the Liverpool First Team Squad for 2025/26 here