Liverpool proceed to be linked with defenders on this summer time’s switch window.
Arne Slot’s arrival has raised the thrill degree round Anfield. Sure, it’s a bit scary to think about life after Jurgen Klopp, however the brand new Reds boss is claimed to be a bit just like his predecessor.
It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how Slot will fare in his first season within the Premier League, however earlier than that occurs, there may be the small matter of summer time signings.
Liverpool have been linked with quite a few names over the previous few weeks, lots of whom are centre-backs.
Right here’s the most recent on one in every of them.
Liverpool need to signal Odilon Kossounou
Liverpool ought to undoubtedly usher in a brand new centre-back on this window.
Joel Matip will depart the membership on the finish of his contract, whereas Virgil van Dijk isn’t getting any youthful. Ibrahima Konate had a poor finish to the 2023/24 season and Jarrell Quansah continues to be a bit too younger to take over the reins.
A brand new central defender ought to be excessive on Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards’ agenda, they usually have been linked with fairly a number of names.
One in every of them is Odilon Kossounou of Bayer Leverkusen.
The 23-year-old, who gained the African Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast in 2024, performed 21 video games for Xabi Alonso’s facet and helped them elevate the Bundesliga title.
Kossounou is appreciated by many golf equipment, and the Day by day Briefing have revealed that Liverpool actually like him too.
The report claims that the Reds are joined by Manchester United and Newcastle in pursuit of the centre-half, who will enter the ultimate two years of his contract in July.
It has been revealed that Liverpool have positioned Kossounou close to the highest of their listing of targets, and he’s open to leaving Leverkusen this summer time.
Nevertheless, the German champions are searching for a charge within the area of €45 million (£38m) to let him go.
What’s Kossounou’s fashion of play?
Kossounou is among the most proficient centre-backs within the German high flight.
The Ivorian has earned a ton of reward throughout his time at Leverkusen, with the membership’s sporting director Simon Rolfes saying, as per Bundesliga’s web site: “He’s actually fast, agile, robust within the problem, technically good and nonetheless hasn’t realised his full potential. He has all the things wanted to play an vital position in our workforce.”
That matches what Liverpool, or most different groups that matter, search for in a centre-half, and the truth that he has been enjoying underneath Alonso means he’s comfy enjoying out from the again as effectively.
Moreover, despite the fact that Kossounou admired watching Sergio Ramos earlier in his profession, the Bundesliga’s official web site compares him to Bayern Munich and Germany legend Jerome Boateng.
“Robust, fast, bodily and nice with the ball at his ft, Kossounou – who began out life as a midfielder – admired serial Spanish winner Sergio Ramos earlier in his profession, however it’s former Bayern Munich centre-back Jerome Boateng that’s most likely extra related compared,” they write.
With suppose Kossounou can be a great possibility for Liverpool this summer time, and he may finally be the inheritor to Van Dijk’s throne at Anfield.
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