Liverpool 'working hard' for £42.5m-rated in demand defender who 'favours a move' elsewhere

Liverpool have a number of positions to focus on bolstering this summer as Arne Slot prepares for his first transfer window as manager. The Dutchman will take charge of the Reds for the upcoming season through to 2027, as per his three-year contract.

During Jurgen Klopp’s last term in charge, his team suffered multiple injury setbacks, which have highlighted Liverpool’s need to recruit reinforcements. There is also the remaining grey area of Mohamed Salah’s future — while some reports have claimed the club expect him to remain at Anfield next season, others continue to link the Egyptian to a summer exit.

Replacing Salah, if he does leave the club is crucial, but one of the main areas of concern is Liverpool’s backline. During the 2023/24 season, Liverpool were without the likes of Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kostas Tsimikas and Ibrahima Konaté for periods of the term, while Joël Matip’s final season in red was cut short after suffering an ACL injury.

The injury concerns stretched Klopp’s options thin across the back and Liverpool have since been linked with a number of defensive targets to ensure there isn’t a repeat. One man on the transfer list is Lille centre-back Leny Yoro, who has emerged as quite the hot target at just 18 years of age.

The Frenchman has been valued at €50 million (£42.5m) already and Liverpool aren’t the only ones interested in his signature. Yoro’s current contract is due to expire next summer, so clubs are pushing to get a deal over the line and Lille have a big decision to make if they want to avoid losing him for free in 12 months.

The in-demand centre-back has attracted interest from three Premier League clubs, and while Slot’s side are one of them, both Chelsea and Manchester United are also in the running. However, according to HITC, Yoro ‘favours a move to Real Madrid’ instead. The La Liga club recently claimed their 15th European Cup as they defeated Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley.

The report claims that Liverpool ‘in particular’ have been ‘working hard’ to try and convince the teenager to choose Anfield over the other clubs interested. Liverpool are hoping to put across how their club would be the best destination for his development, but they are also aware that Yoro’s preference is to move to Real Madrid, following recent blockbuster signings Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé.

Liverpool are looking to find an eventual successor to Virgil van Dijk, who is approaching his 33rd birthday next month. The skipper is also out of contract in 2025, similar to Salah and Alexander-Arnold, but discussions are reportedly being held for all three key players, according to varying media outlets.

Speaking about working under Slot, the Liverpool captain said: “Obviously I have full trust in the club and all the decisions going forward. It's exciting as well. Change is always a bit in the unknown, but I have got full confidence and am looking forward to the new season already."