Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, as Jurgen Klopp looks to up his transfer activity.
The Reds have already signed Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai from Brighton and RB Leipzig, respectively, in the summer transfer window. After bolstering the midfield options, Jurgen Klopp is now on the hunt for defensive reinforcements.
According to Liverpool Echo, Liverpool have spoken to Chelsea defender Levi Colwill’s camp about a potential summer move, however, the Pensioners have reiterated the youngster is not for sale.
Colwill, 20, is due to return Chelsea once the European Under-21 Championship has concluded. The young defender is a man very much in demand this summer after a hugely productive campaign at the Amex Stadium last season whilst on a season-long loan with Brighton, appearing in 17 Premier League matches, with 13 of those being starts. He played a key role in helping the Seagulls finish sixth in the table and secure Europe League qualification for the first time in the club’s history.
Brighton have attempted to sign the England under-21 international permanently, seeing two bids rejected by Chelsea. The report adds Liverpool are the latest club to enquire about Colwill but the Blues want to keep hold of him, with new manager Mauricio Pochettino excited to work with the centre-half.
Levi Colwill to Liverpool—Should the Reds splash big for him?
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be in the market for defensive reinforcements this summer after a disappointing 2022/23 campaign where they conceded 47 goals and finished fifth in the table. Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip largely underperformed, while Ibrahima Konate’s form suffered due to another injury-hit season at Anfield.
Thus, Klopp wants to bring in a new central defender to cover and compete with the current crop of players in his squad. It is understood the German tactician is a huge admirer of Levi Colwill and has been impressed with his performances for Brighton last term. And as a result, he has made Colwill among his No.1 defensive targets this transfer window.
With just under two years left on his current terms at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are understood to be keen to tie Colwill down to a fresh contract at the club. However, a stumbling block in contract negotiations is that the 20-year-old wants assurances over the amount of first-team football available at the west London club under Pochettino next term.
Keeping his situation in mind, Liverpool must try to lure him away from Chelsea by assuring him regular starting opportunities. A composed passer of the ball, Colwill could learn a lot from Van Dijk and eventually replace him on the left-hand side of Liverpool’s defence in the future. With Konate already in the books, adding Colwill could potentially sort the Merseyside club’s centre-back area for the best part of this decade, whilst having played with Mac Allister at Brighton should also help the youngster.
However, agreeing a fee with Chelsea should be tricky as they don’t want to sell the English defender. Whatever fee Liverpool have to pay for Colwill could be worth it though, as he has the potential to become a top-class defender in the future. All in all, a move to Anfield could really bolster the Reds’ defence as they look to challenge for the Premier League title next season.
