Although their subsequent supervisor is unknown, Liverpool are anticipated to signal a brand new centre-back this summer time regardless, with two ex-Man City defenders of curiosity.
Between now and the affirmation of Jurgen Klopp‘s successor, any hypothesis over new signings needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.
With no supervisor or sporting director in place, there are nonetheless main containers to tick earlier than any summer time arrivals are given the inexperienced mild.
However with Liverpool’s scouting and recruitment construction in any other case remaining, work continues with figuring out potential signings and contacting brokers over doable offers.
As Joel Matip continues his restoration from a critical ACL damage, the truth is that, along with his contract attributable to expire, the Reds may herald one other centre-back.
Two names on Liverpool’s shortlist are Fulham‘s Tosin Adarabioyo and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Ko Itakura, who each frolicked on the books at Man City.
Nizaar Kinsella of the Evening Standard is the newest to hyperlink Adarabioyo with a transfer to Anfield, along with his contract additionally set to expire on July 1.
This follows comparable tales from the Mirror‘s John Cross and the Mail‘s Simon Jones, although it needs to be famous that none of those sources are primarily based on Merseyside.
Adarabioyo is, in accordance with Kinsella, “open to staying at Craven Cottage and can resolve his future on the finish of the season,” with Fulham getting ready a brand new provide.
Hyperlinks with a change to Anfield might be tied to that state of affairs, although given his age, at 26, expertise and homegrown standing, he would doubtless be on Liverpool’s radar.
Itakura, who has simply returned from the Asian Cup after Japan had been knocked out by Iran, was first mentioned as a target for the Reds by Fabrizio Romano on New Yr’s Day.
Liverpool had been claimed to have scouted the 27-year-old “a number of instances,” with this story corroborated by Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg later in January.
Whereas Adarabioyo might be obtainable at no cost, Itakura has a release clause of between £8.5 million and £12.8 million.
Although each frolicked at Man City, their paths barely crossed, with Adarabioyo spending 17 years within the academy earlier than becoming a member of Fulham in 2020, whereas Itakura’s three years on the books had been spent on mortgage at FC Groningen and Schalke.
Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande – who’s coached by managerial candidate Ruben Amorim – is one other centre-back being thought of, This Is Anfield understands.
