---
title: "Liverpool wanted Laporte deal if they missed out on van Dijk"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/liverpool-wanted-laporte-deal-if-they-missed-out-on-van-dijk/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ryan Darby"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2018-10-17T14:51:54Z"
modified: "2018-10-17T14:51:54Z"
---

# Liverpool wanted Laporte deal if they missed out on van Dijk

Liverpool would have reportedly pursued a deal to sign Aymeric Laporte had they missed out on Virgil van Dijk.

[According to the reliable Paul Joyce of The Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/liverpools-defensive-rebuild-bears-the-hallmark-of-title-challengers-mv28m2hds), the Reds had the Frenchman in their sights as an alternative to the former Southampton man.

> Ironically, Laporte was Liverpool’s second choice if van Dijk had remained out of reach.

Both players were of interest to Liverpool and Manchester City during the January transfer window.

![Alex Livesey/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2018/10/1025856662.jpg)

Van Dijk had been a long-term target for Liverpool and they were forced to splash out a huge £75 million to secure his services from Southampton.

Opting not to pay that much for the player, Manchester City turned to Laporte and activated the £57.2 million release clause in his contract with La Liga side Athletic Bilbao.

Both players have impressed since their respective transfers back in January. Laporte has cemented himself as a regular in the City defence, while van Dijk has proved to be a colossus at the back for Jurgen Klopp’s side.