Following Joel Matip’s season-ending knee injury, Liverpool could bring forward their ambitions to recruit a new center-back, with a source claiming a quick £30m defender and a £50m Tottenham target are being eyed.
Matip, 32, may have played his final match for Liverpool after learning that his damaged ACL needed surgery. The veteran center-half sustained the injury in last weekend’s 4-3 win against Fulham. On Wednesday night, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed his worst concerns, with Matip being ruled out for the rest of the season.
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Matip’s contract expires in the summer, and he will turn 33 in August. As a result, it’s completely possible that Liverpool’s decision-makers do not extend a new contract to the long-serving defender.
In any case, Liverpool were expected to address the position of centre-back in the summer. According to The Sun, Matip’s injury might push the club’s ambitions forward by six months.
In recent years, Liverpool has demonstrated a willingness to act quickly and make huge deals during the winter transfer window.
Due to Tottenham’s interest in the player, Luis Diaz was signed six months early in January 2022. Cody Gakpo arrived a year later, just as Manchester United was scouting the Dutchman.
According to The Sun, Liverpool could ‘fast-track efforts to buy a replacement’ and are ‘eying a January move’.
Spurs want a £30 million speedy and a £50 million speedster.
They are interested in two players: Wolfsburg’s Maxence Lacroix and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.
The latter is a clear Tottenham target, with Sky Sports confirming on Thursday night that Guehi is sought in north London.
Spurs are dealing with their own center-back concerns as a result of Micky van de Ven’s hamstring injury. Furthermore, Ange Postecoglou does not rate Eric Dier and his contract expires at the conclusion of the season. Tottenham is willing to cash in on Dier while the opportunity exists next month.
According to The Sun, Liverpool might sneak in and entice Guehi to move to Merseyside rather than across London.
Palace are understandably hesitant to lose a starting center-back in the middle of the season. The Eagles, according to The Sun, “will listen to offers of £50 million or more.” As a result, a deal could be on the table if Liverpool – or Tottenham – are willing to pay top price.
Guehi, 23, is right-footed but has spent most of his time at Selhurst Park on the left side of defence. He’s
Since his £18 million move from Chelsea in 2021, he has established himself as a regular in Gareth Southgate’s England selections.
If Guehi leaves Palace in 2024, Chelsea will be entitled to a part of the revenues under a sell-on clause.
If Palace refuses to play ball and Liverpool decides a January reinforcement is necessary, Wolfsburg’s Lacroix could be a more attainable goal.
The 23-year-old Frenchman is recognised for being one of the fastest defenders in German football and can also play right-back.
Lacroix is 6ft 3in tall and can be signed for £30m, according to the source. He, like Guehi, can play both sides of a centre-back duo.
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