Liverpool exploring move for £30m “iron barrel” who’s just like Van Dijk

Milos Kerkez is edging towards a transfer from Bournemouth to Liverpool, with sporting director Richard Hughes discussing the ultimate particulars together with his successor within the Cherries switch seat.

This in itself is a incredible deal for Anfield, whose veteran left-back Andy Robertson is an “absolute legend” however one “hanging on in each sport” for Arne Slot’s facet this season, says pundit Jamie Carragher.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold signing for Actual Madrid on the finish of his Liverpool contract, it was additionally necessary for FSG to welcome a successor, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong has been picked as the person for the job, signed for £29.5m.

Additional change is afoot greater up the sector, however Liverpool have already proven a willingness to safe a brand new centre-back this summer season, pushing to signal Dean Huijsen earlier than he rejected a wealth of Premier League curiosity for Actual Madrid.

Why Liverpool want a defender

Virgil van Dijk is now a two-time Premier League winner, dominant and immense because the captain guided his workforce by way of the marketing campaign with elite consistency.

It is good that Van Dijk signed a brand new deal on Merseyside, extending his keep for 2 extra years, however he turns 34 subsequent month and Liverpool must discover a long-term inheritor.

That might have been Huijsen, who was hailed as “the right left centre-back” by analyst Ben Mattinson after his marketing campaign on the south coast. Full in an age-belying trend, the Spain worldwide, solely 20, would have secured Liverpool’s backline for years to return, had he joined.

And although FSG are huge on performing upon distinctive market alternatives, they have to certainly recognise the necessity for a fallback. Ibrahima Konate arrived in 2021, and no first-team centre-back has since adopted him.

Konate, furthermore, is being courted by Los Blancos, who wish to snap him up as a free agent subsequent summer season. Liverpool are at present locked in talks over a brand new take care of their French defender.

Given Jarell Quansah’s future can also be unsure, a Huijsen different to ease the burden on Van Dijk and co could be nice, and the Premier League champions have recognized the person for the job.

Liverpool start transfer for brand spanking new CB

As per Caught Offside, Liverpool have entered the race for Bayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae, with sources near the South Korean claiming he will likely be allowed to go away the Allianz Area this summer season.

With the varied events all in search of a swift decision, Bayern have decreased their asking worth from €50m (£44m) to about €35m (£30m), which might work nicely for the Reds given their want for reinforcements throughout a myriad of positions.

With Chelsea and Newcastle United additionally exploring a transfer, Liverpool could be clever to take their curiosity up a notch, able to pounce.

What Kim Min-Jae would carry to Liverpool

Kim has struggled to actually hit his stride for Bayern, however actually showcased his high quality as an elite-level central defender when within the Serie A with Napoli, heralded as an “iron barrel” of a participant by his former teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Based on Luciano Spalletti, former Napoli boss, Kim has the minerals to turn into “one of the best centre-back on the planet”, maintaining 14 clear sheets from 35 matches because the Blues gained the Scudetto in 2022/23, a colossus in defending his facet’s objective.

A participant able to getting caught in and performing with a extra elegant contact, Kim’s is the prototypical trendy profile, his energy suggesting he would thrive within the rigorous Premier League.

Bayern signed the 28-year-old from Napoli in July 2023 after assembly his £43m launch clause, and although he is since recovered the Bundesliga from Leverkusen after lacking out in his debut time period, it hasn’t been the smoothest crusing for the left-sided defender, who made 4 direct errors resulting in a objective this time period, as per Sofascore.

Nonetheless, such lapses have not prevented the £194k-per-week titan from producing in any other case spectacular performances, finishing 93% of his passes, averaging 5.7 ball recoveries per sport and successful 65% of his aerial battles.

His aerial dominance, crisp and progressive passing and left-sided berth counsel Kim may very well be the right foil for Van Dijk, particularly when data-led web site FBref counsel the 2 gamers bear a tactical likeness.

Securing a brand new centre-half who can ease Van Dijk’s defensive burden would not be a nasty factor, particularly with Liverpool decided to go one higher than this time period and compete for silverware throughout 4 completely different main fronts.

There’s clearly a likeness to the gamers, who each make use of assured passing video games however keep inventive aptitude too. Furthermore, they’re persistent commanders of aerial site visitors, directing whipped-in hazard away from the field.

If Liverpool want to maximise the time they’ve left with their legendary skipper, overloading him with minutes won’t truly be one of the best observe to take. As an alternative, Van Dijk may thrive in an surroundings that permits him to step away from the motion with out sending Slot’s system right into a spin.

Kim’s similarities to the Dutchman would enable him to do precisely that, regarded prior to now as ‘the South Korean Van Dijk.’

Given Quansah was used so sparingly this season, and certainly Konate’s future is unsure (as is his health, routinely lacking chunks of the marketing campaign), this might be the right, reasonably priced deal for an skilled and dynamic defender who may fill in for the captain or play alongside him.