Liverpool plot hijack for “magnificent” £17m defender

How unhappy that Liverpool‘s good enterprise sense within the switch market will probably forestall Arne Slot‘s aspect from changing into engaged within the frenzied crowd come August, when panic stations are manned forward of the upcoming closure date.

Ah properly. There are worse issues for a aspect to have. Liverpool, having received the Premier League with relative ease final season, have already accomplished a collection of signings to plug gaps forward of the 2025/26 marketing campaign, the place a title have to be defended and the place expectations might be heightened throughout tournamental fronts, the place the Reds maybe fell flat.

Nonetheless, that shiny league title softened the blow of dropping the Carabao Cup closing, did it not? Nonetheless, we will not deny that Liverpool suffered a dip round spring, a tough patch which restricted the scope of Slot’s extraordinary success.

Extra high quality was wanted, and that is why Richard Hughes has overseen such an imperious begin to the summer season market, with the sporting director now turning his head towards central defence.

Why Liverpool desire a centre-back

Earlier in June, Liverpool agreed to promote Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £30m plus add-ons. A buyback clause has been written into the contract.

The transfer is not going to be finalised till the defender completes his duties with England on the U21 European Championship, however he will not be a Liverpool participant subsequent season.

With a query mark additionally hanging over Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool have set their sights on Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who’s anticipated to depart Selhurst Park this summer season. Anfield has emerged because the main suitor within the race.

Everyone knows of Actual Madrid’s experience in warping Spanish media, however the truth stays that Konate has been left ‘upset’ after rejecting Liverpool’s newest contract supply, and is certainly heading into the closing yr of his £70k-per-week contract.

Nonetheless, if Liverpool fail to get a deal for Guehi over the road, a contemporary face will nonetheless be wanted to strengthen the rearguard.

Liverpool register curiosity in Guehi different

In keeping with switch insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool have entered the race for Spanish centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, who performs for Valencia in La Liga.

Although the Reds will sluggish the tempo after their breakneck begin to the window, Hughes will stay attentive to alternatives and is protecting an in depth eye on the 21-year-old as Arsenal start to speed up their very own curiosity.

Certainly, The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed that the Gunners are locked in talks for the rising star, with a €20m (£17m) being agreed.

If Liverpool wish to full a hijack, they might want to transfer quick.

Why Liverpool need Cristhian Mosquera

Guehi would deliver a sure completeness to Liverpool, and he is confirmed within the Premier League moreover, however he’d price fairly a payment at £50m.

If a breakthrough is discovered vis-à-vis Konate, wouldn’t it make sense to launch such a bid, particularly when Guehi already harbours sure reservations about taking part in time?

He is a superb participant, however Mosquera is exhibiting important potential and might be a worthwhile venture for Slot and his teaching workforce over the subsequent few years, particularly as he is already proven a sure precocity in chalking up 90 senior appearances for Valencia, having turned 21 at the moment.

Throughout the 2024/25 marketing campaign, the Spaniard, born and reared in Alicante to Colombian mother and father, Mosquera really began 37 of Valencia’s league fixtures, together with his one absence coming when his aspect confronted Barcelona at Camp Nou. They misplaced 7-1.

Coincidence? Seemingly not. The hulking defender’s pure ease in high-pressure conditions would have been good for that match, and when taking a look at how his metrics evaluate to Guehi’s over the gamers’ respective league seasons, you start to see precisely why he is so coveted.

Only a reminder that Mosquera is simply 21. You actually can see why Arsenal are so involved in bringing him over to the Emirates. Nonetheless, Mosquera’s mix of steely tackling and crisp passing play, these elementary defensive virtues, might be developed into one thing world-class at Anfield.

Slot promotes a ball-playing recreation, and he expects his centre-halves to contribute, selecting out these in house upfield to spark a devastating transition.

And if that weren’t sufficient, Mosquera additionally ranked among the many prime 18% of central defenders in La Liga final time period for progressive carries and the highest 7% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref, emphasising a mobility to rival Guehi’s and certainly an athleticism which permits him to roam about, hoovering up hazard and recycling it into one thing optimistic.

A ball restoration is outlined by the variety of free balls recovered by a participant.

That is an fascinating factor for any defender to equip to their toolkit, however if you end up so naturally gifted in successful the ball again, as Mosquera is, a “actually magnificent centre-back” is created, as has been famous by expertise scout Jacek Kulig.

Furthermore, Mosquera’s success within the air won’t be nice, however it would enhance. Guehi, too, finds his stronger challenges come on the bottom, and so it is curious certainly that the La Liga star is already performing to the next customary in that regard, the truth is superior to all his positional friends throughout Spain’s prime flight as properly.

Little doubt, Palace have the extra refined man. Nonetheless, given Liverpool already boast two of the best defenders on the globe in Konate and skipper Virgil van Dijk, does it not make sense to signal the creating star, who may be taught from the superstars already underneath Slot’s wing forward of a extra distinguished function within the coming years?