Liverpool are readying a £25 million bid for Real Sociedad star Diego Llorente, it has been reported.
The Reds have pushed Manchester City this season, and are expected to continue spending in the summer transfer window.
Liverpool have defended well this season, but according to Spanish outlet Noticias de Gipuzkoa, Jürgen Klopp’s side have monitored the 25-year old and might move in for him in the summer.
The Reds are likely to face competition from Everton for the versatile defender, however.
Llorente – Fact file
The centre-half spent his younger days playing for the Real Madrid youth teams and the Castilla before a couple of loan spells away from the club.
Real Sociedad spent €7 million to sign him from the capital club, and since then, he has established himself as a regular for the Basque-based outfit.
So far this season, Llorente has made 16 appearances in the Spanish Primera Liga, and has played a key role in their build-up play as he’s a ball-playing defender who likes playing out from the back.
Why Llorente would be a good addition to Liverpool
It’s clear that the Reds’ defence has become one of the best in Europe after Virgil van Dijk’s arrival, and Joe Gomez, when fit, might be the preferred choice.
Joel Matip has done reasonably well, but what makes Llorente a prospective target is his versatility. Like Fabinho, the 25-year old can play in a holding midfield role because he is extremely comfortable on the ball.
Llorente has the composure to play the ball out from the back, and his passing ability means he can be slotted in midfield.
Liverpool’s depth in the centre-back area is pretty impressive, but Dejan Lovren has failed to convince consistently, and considering Llorente has most of the tools to succeed in Klopp’s system, spending £25 million on Llorente might turn out to be a good investment by the Reds.
Still only 25, Llorente has his peak years ahead of him, so he can slowly be integrated into the system, like Fabinho was, and become a key part of the squad in the coming years if the Reds can get their hands on the player.