Gvardiol, Madrid rumour quashed as Jacobs reveals star defender is ‘likely’ to leave Liverpool

Jason Soutar
Reported Liverpool target Josko Gvardiol smiles during a warm-up

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will look to bolster his defence in the summer transfer window, according to Ben Jacobs.

It has always promised to be a very busy summer at Anfield, however, their misfortunes on the pitch this season could see more signings come in than initially expected.

A whole new midfield and a couple of defenders would not go amiss with Klopp’s side looking uncharacteristically out of sorts on the pitch.

Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jude Bellingham is their top target, though the Reds face some fierce competition from Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Arsenal have also been linked with the England international, who is expected to cost at least £130million should Dortmund sell him.

Given Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk’s misfortunes in recent weeks, Liverpool have been linked with several defenders.

RB Leipzig and Croatia sensation Josko Gvardiol has emerged as a target, though, like Bellingham, has lots of admirers.

Writing for CaughtOffside, transfer expert Ben Jacobs has provided a big update on Liverpool’s summer transfer plans.

There is a lot on the club’s pursuit of midfielders, but I will focus on what Jacobs has to say about defensive players.

The journalist claims Liverpool liked Benoit Badiashile during his time at AS Monaco, but the Frenchman joined Chelsea last month and is no longer attainable.

Chelsea have been linked with Gvardiol for a while, as have Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, and Liverpool are now ‘tracking’ the Croatian international.

There have been rumours that Gvardiol has agreed to join Madrid; however, Jacobs has denied that this is the case.

In fact, the 21-year-old ‘wants a Premier League move’ and has previously said that Liverpool are his “dream club” having watched them with his father during his younger years.

Gvardiol has a £98million release clause that will become active in 2024, Jacobs adds.

As well as the Croatian defender, the Reds are eyeing up Eintracht Frankfurt’s Evan Ndicka.

The Frenchman will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season. He reportedly has no intention to extend his Frankfurt contract.

Another defender on Klopp’s list is Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic, who has been linked with West Ham in the past.

Perhaps surprisingly, Liverpool like Wolves centre-half Max Kilman, who they could make a move for this summer. The 25-year-old has been linked with Tottenham and Newcastle recently.

Jacobs adds that defenders Nat Phillips and Joel Matip are ‘likely’ to leave Anfield at the end of the season.

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