Jurgen Klopp has begun his search for a new defender and the Independent have revealed that he is ready to compete with his former employers Borussia Dortmund for the signing of FC Basel centre-back Manuel Akanji.
The 22-year-old centre-back joined Basel in 2015 and has established himself as a first-team regular, and his performances in the Swiss Super League have seen him break into the Switzerland international side in the last six months, earning his first of four caps to date back in June.
Regarded as one of the best young centre-backs in Europe, Akanji has many suitors across the continent and Borussia Dortmund are eager to bring him to the Bundesliga when the January transfer windows, but Liverpool are ready to compete for his signature.
Basel are unwilling to part ways with one of their prized assets in January after securing progression to the last 16 of the Champions League, which plays into Liverpool’s hands as they would be looking to strike a deal which sees him arrive at Anfield in the summer, a deal which Basel would prefer as opposed to letting him leave for Dortmund next month.
Klopp is exploring his options when it comes to defensive additions in the January transfer window and Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk remains a player the Reds covet, but Premier League leaders Manchester City have also been linked in recent weeks.
