German football expert and Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk has claimed that Liverpool are targeting a move for RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano in January.
The Reds are in dire need of defensive strengthening in order to maintain their title defence after losing both Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk to long-term injuries this season.
Whilst a host of centre-backs from all corners of Europe have been linked with a move to Merseyside, Upamecano could be at the top of the wanted list.
The Frenchman signed a new contract with the Bundesliga side last summer amid intense transfer speculation – a contract including a release clause which will become active next summer.
Falk has suggested that Jurgen Klopp could return to his homeland to solve his defensive crisis: “Upamecano is at the top of the list of many top clubs and of course that includes Liverpool, Bayern Munich are also an option, but it’s going to be hard to go that way, so they look at other players.”
TRUE ✅ Liverpool @LFC have also Ibrahima Konaté (21, contract til 2023 @DieRotenBullen) beside Dayot Upamecano (22) on their list for the defense @BILD_Sport pic.twitter.com/aGrlaWlRjo
— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) December 4, 2020
Historically, Liverpool have become somewhat frugal spenders, something which Falk believes could draw them to the 22-year-old as he said: “The Americans (Liverpool’s owners) have become aware of the value of his contract, which runs until 2023, and would be financially affordable for Liverpool.”
Upamecano has played 14 times in all competitions this term, scoring once as well as helping Leipzig to the joint-best defensive record in the Bundesliga.
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Upamecano is perhaps the most talked-about up-and-coming centre-back in Europe, so should Liverpool be able to get this one over the line, it would represent a serious coup.
The 22-year-old is almost the ideal model for a centre-back – quick, strong, tall and able to carry the ball from the defence – so it’s little wonder Klopp would be among the suitors.
The Reds have coped reasonably well in the absence of van Dijk and Gomez, but with injuries so frequent of late, there is almost no doubt that an additional top-quality option is a necessity in January.
