Liverpool’s Reported Summer Targets: Another One Bites the Dust

There has been a very clear trend in terms of Liverpool’s reported business so far in this transfer window. That has been the media linking them to names, only for the club to not push for those players and watch them head to other clubs. That has seemingly happened once again as Juventus defender Dean Huijsen is set to join another Premier League club, despite being heavily linked with a move to Anfield over recent weeks.

That club is AFC Bournemouth, who have reached a verbal agreement over the signing of the 19-year-old defender, according to the reliable transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Obviously, this move was another case of Liverpool not being willing to rush into signing players for the sake. Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes will instead look to sign players that will “push the dial” in terms of the quality amongst Liverpool’s ranks.

Defensive Reinforcements – A Want or a Need?

Reports suggest that defensive reinforcements are fairly high on Liverpool’s list of priorities this summer. The exit of Joel Matip upon the expiry of his contract at the end of June left a fairly large hole in their ranks, despite his poor injury record. In contrast to that, the emergence of Conor Bradley as backup to Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back could allow Joe Gomez to move back into his natural position as an option at the heart of the defence.

Of course, on top of that you have Virgil Van Dijk, Ibou Konate and Jarell Quansah who are all expected to be at the club come the start of the season despite recent uncertainty surrounding Van Dijk’s contract situation at the club. With this in mind, I don’t think a central defender is an absolute MUST right now.

A left-sided defender to improve on the current options of Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas, along with a worthy backup/long-term replacement to Mohamed Salah at right-wing are much more pressing matters. Those two positions would be my priorities if the decision making was down to me.

Who Could Liverpool Target?

Should Liverpool pursue a central defender this summer, you can expect to see the likes of Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapie linked like in previous months. Marc Guehi has of course been the main name over recent weeks, but all reliable reports point towards that deal being far from advanced at the moment.

Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio is another name that has caught the headlines in recent weeks and given his ability to play as a left-sided defender, this would perhaps make the most sense alongside Hincapie for the same reason. Nottingham Forest’s Murillo has consistently also been linked with a move to Liverpool, but there’s no chance the Reds will pay the £70million asking price set by their Premier League opponents.

If I had to pick, I would see Inacio as the most likely to join the Reds with his asking price only recently slashed to around £37million. His price tag and tactical flexibility would make him a really smart purchase, in my opinion.