5 realistic replacements for Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk situation on Merseyside remains ambiguous, and there’s certainly a chance the dominant Dutch defender
- Virgil van Dijk is yet to extend Liverpool contract
- Reds likely to be in centre-back market even if Van Dijk remains
- Premier League defenders among realistic targets
1. Marc Guehi
Crystal Palace are on the up again with Oliver Glasner at the helm, but they look set to lose their captain this summer. Guehi will have his pick of several Premier League clubs, and Liverpool are among those poised to make a move.
The former Chelsea defender has garnered an impressive reputation at Selhurst Park, developing into one of England’s very best เล่น UFABET ผ่านมือถือ สะดวกทุกที่ ทุกเวลา defenders. His work at Euro 2024 showed that he’s capable of performing on the biggest of occasions, having proven his consistency over several campaigns in south London.
2. Dean Huijsen
Allowing Huijsen to depart for less than £13m looks like another genius bit of business from Juventus. Anyone who caught a glimpse of the teenager on loan at Roma last season knew Bournemouth were robbing the Bianconeri blind.
3. David Hancko
Liverpool won’t be restricting their search to the familiar realm of the Premier League, although much of their shrewdest business in recent years has been conducted between domestic rivals.
If the Reds venture further afield, expect Feyenoord’s David Hancko to be a name of intrigue.
4. Nico Schlotterbeck
An elegant left-footed defender. Who’ll supply plenty to Liverpool’s build-up, Schlotterbeck is among the Reds’ reported centre-back targets.
The German international has been a bright spark for BVB amid a torrid domestic campaign, and the Bundesliga outfit are keen to build around the 25-year-old for the long haul.
There’s talk of a new contract and Schlotterback has also been tipped for captaincy. Thus, Liverpool may have to put in some work to convince the defender, who played a key role in the club’s ascent to the Champions League final last season and only seems to be growing as a player.
5. Goncalo Inacio
Inacio has emerged into somewhat of a transfer window protagonist in recent times, yet the defender has never come close to departing Sporting CP. In February, the centre-back recorded his 200th appearance for the Portuguese giants at 23-years-old.
Liverpool have been tenuously linked with a move in the past. It wouldn’t be a surprise if there’s a re-emergence of interest this summer. Sporting have faltered in the wake of Ruben Amorim’s exit, but Inacio has remained a reliable figure on the left side of their ever-changing defence.