Liverpool are expected to sign a new centre-back in the summer regardless of any squad departures but Fabrizio Romano reports that there has yet to be any negotiation or direct contact with Bournemouth for 19-year-old defender Dean Huijsen.
Before the season started, the biggest priority was to sign a specialist defensive midfielder to star at the base of Arne Slot’s midfield. Martin Zubimendi quckly emerged as Slot’s preferred signing in the no.6 role and so when he rejected the Reds’ approach, it came as a major blow .
Fans were in disarray as they bemoaned FSG’s apparent lack of ambition. Slot’s managerial excellence smoothed the situation over, however, as his coaching of Ryan Gravenberch has seen the Dutch 22-year-old emerge as potentially one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe.
Fast forward to the present and it’s clear that the biggest need for investment is actually at centre-back. Injuries to Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez have laid bare Slot’s defensive options at times this season.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Slot privately thanks his good fortune that Virgil van Dijk is so fit because without him, the wheels would surely come off.
Fabrizio Romano confirms that Liverpool will focus on signing a centre-back this summer
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano confirms that Slot will sign a new centre-back this summer although he did not provide any details on what the club’s search currently looks like beyond identifying Dean Huijsen as a target.
Romano said “Let’s see what Liverpool decide to do because I expect them to sign an important centre-back in the summer transfer window.
“[Dean] Huijsen could be an attractive option, but again, at this point, still no negotiation, still no direct contact.”
On Tuesday, Romano clarified that Huijsen has a £50million release clause in his contract which will become active in the summer which has Premier League clubs on alert. The 19-year-old has looked very impressive for Bournemouth this season and seems set for a bright future in English football.
