Liverpool are looking at a 19-year-old successor to Virgil van Dijk this summer.
The Reds’ defense has been a concern this season, with 38 Premier League goals conceded and nine losses. Goalkeeper Alisson has enjoyed phenomenal form to keep Liverpool in the hunt for European football, with the back four coming under fire.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip have all taken their share of the blame – with linchpin Van Dijk criticized, too. The previously unimpeachable 31-year-old has started to look his age, according to some, with fans and pundits wondering if another center-back will be brought in this summer.
Now, Calciomercato in Italy cclaims that the Reds are exploring a move for Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta.
The report claims that although there is interest from the likes of Juventus and Inter Milan, Liverpool could blow rivals out of the water with financial power, adding that Scalvini is the “most promising defender in Italian football”.
Although Scalvini won’t be cheap to snare at around €40 million, he would be considerably cheaper than some of the options on the market. Antonio Silva of Benfica and Josko Guardiol of RB Leipzig are both thought to be worth double.
Last year, the Express identified Scalvini as being a potential successor to Van Dijk – and given that the teenager is 6ft 4in with a strong build, he could well grow into the kind of physically imposing leader that the Dutchman has been in the Premier League.
Able to step into a defensive midfield role, FourFourTwo named Scalvini as 25th in the 2023 list of the best teenagers in world football, noting, “his outstretched lunges from the back look almost choreographed.”
The defender is valued at around €30m Transfermarkt.
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Liverpool’s failed pursuit of Jude Bellingham has led to a discussion about who is to blame This Is Anfield writing that the fault lies with both Jurgen Klopp and ownership FSG for FourFourTwo.
The Reds are looking at a number of possible alternatives, including Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich, Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella, Brighton midfielder Moises Caidedo and Chelsea fringe midfielder Conor Gallagher. Ex-Red Jose Enrique has questioned whether the Merseysiders even needed Bellingham, anyway.
Meanwhile, there could be significant outgoings from Anfield this summer. Mohamed Salah has apparently inquired about a move to Spain, Jurgen Klopp is a target for Real Madrid if Carlo Ancelotti departs and Roberto Firmino has reportedly agreed a deal with Los Blancos when his Liverpool contract expires.