Liverpool are already set to welcome two new players next season ahead of the summer transfer window
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
Arne Slot is already set to add two new players to his Liverpool squad(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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Liverpool have demonstrated signs of their long-term planning at centre-back. The Reds will be planning for the summer transfer window but have already invested in two new players at the heart of defence.
The club made headlines with their high-profile moves for the likes of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak last summer, though arguably left themselves short at centre-back. Arne Slot's team failed to complete a late move for then-Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi after a summer-long transfer saga.
Highly-rated youngster Giovanni Leoni was recruited from Parma for £26million but the teenager unfortunately ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament on his debut in September, ruling him out for the rest of the campaign. Consequently, Liverpool have heavily relied on Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate’s partnership, with Joe Gomez occasionally filling in.
However, Slot is set to have two fresh options at his disposal next term, which will have knock-on effects for the aforementioned players. The most notable new arrival will be Jeremy Jacquet, who agreed a £60m move from Rennes in February, while Austria Wien starlet Ifeanyi Ndukwe will also be heading to Anfield in the summer.
The signings of Jacquet, 20, and Ndukwe, 18, may represent the future of Liverpool’s backline but their presence will fuel further questions about the club’s current centre-backs. Virgil van Dijk remains a virtual ever-present for Slot’s side and the experienced defender has shown little sign of decline but a succession plan for the 34-year-old is necessary.
The Liverpool captain has a little over a year left on his contract and could help guide Jacquet through his first season at the club. Partnering Van Dijk could prove hugely beneficial for the France U21 international, who is currently recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained in February.
And, should Van Dijk agree to an extension, having a solid succession plan in place will prove invaluable as he reaches the later years of his career. Meanwhile, the space next to the Reds skipper will become available if Konate is unable to agree a new deal of his own with the club.
The 26-year-old was confirmed to be in talks with the club over possibly extending his five-year stint last month with his current contract set to expire this summer. Konate has endured a mixed season so far, with Liverpool’s lack of competition for places evident during his spells of poor form.
The situation was exacerbated by the Reds’ earlier failure to sign Guehi, who eventually joined rivals Manchester City in the January window, and Jacquet not linking up with Liverpool until the summer. The Rennes star will back himself to force his way into Slot’s team even if his compatriot does remain at Liverpool.
Jeremy Jacquet playing for Rennes
Jeremy Jacquet agreed to join Liverpool during the January transfer window(Image: Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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Meanwhile, fellow new arrival Ndukwe is likely to occupy a different role within the squad. The 18-year-old represents more of a long-term youth prospect, as he is yet to make his first team debut for Austria Wien, having been a regular for their reserve side in the country’s second tier this term.
The Austria U18 international will be aiming to overtake Gomez and Leoni in the Liverpool pecking order. Gomez is the longest-serving player at the club and is used as a rotational option. The 28-year-old is a versatile squad player, with a contract set to run until 2027, but Ndukwe could limit his opportunities.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe
Ifeanyi Ndukwe is set to join Liverppol in the summer(Image: Jurij Kodrun - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Leoni’s eventual return to fitness will add another interesting layer next season. The 19-year-old commanded a huge transfer fee, despite his limited experience, and looked set to make a number of appearances before his injury.
However, Jacquet's arrival will impact Leoni’s prospects and it remains to be seen how he will perform when fully fit. The Italian defender's absence could give Ndukwe a chance to stake his claim and be part of the first team's plans.
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