Liverpool
Liverpool Eye £20m International As Klopp Plots Defender Swoop
Liverpool are lining-up a move for a £20m-rated international as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to bring in a new defender before the end of the summer
The summer transfer window is in full swing so we’ll bring you all the latest transfer rumours and gossip from around the globe. Today, Liverpool are linked with Jonas Hector…
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has reassessed his transfer plans and is set to dip back in to the market for another defender with Cologne’s £20m-rated full-back Jonas Hector on his radar, according to the Daily Mail.
Klopp previously hinted that his summer business was over after Georginio Wijnaldum became his seventh signing with the midfielder following Marko Grujic, Sadio Mane, Alex Manninger, Joel Matip, Ragnar Klavan and Loris Karius in making the move to Anfield.
However, Liverpool remain light at the back and their vulnerability, particularly at left-back, was once again exposed when Alberto Moreno limped out of a recently friendly against Roma with a dead leg.
Moreno has been criticised for his defensive capabilities since joining from Sevilla two years ago but he’s Liverpool’s first choice left-back and there is little competition now that Brad Smith has joined Bournemouth and Jon Flanagan is also set for a move.
Klopp had indicated that he may be willing to use James Milner as a make-shift full-back if needed but with injuries at the back mounting, it looks as though the German coach is now ready to bring in another defender over the coming weeks.
Speaking after the Roma game, Klopp is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail:
‘Is the activity all over? I have no idea. I don’t think so. We will see what happens.’
While centre-back remains a worry due to injuries to Joel Matip and Mamadou Sakho, neither of the concerns are thought to be too serious and competition for Moreno at left-back is expected to be Klopp’s priority.
The Daily Mail claim that Liverpool remain interested in signing Colonge’s Jonas Hector after missing out on prime target Ben Chilwell – who committed his future to Leicester City by signing a long-term contract extension last week.
Hector has developed in to one of the best full-backs in the Bundesliga since breaking in to the Cologne first team in 2013 having joined the club from SV Auersmacher three years prior and is now an established German international.
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The 26-year-old would be an excellent addition to the Liverpool squad but the Merseysiders will have to be prepared to dig deep if they want to secure his signature as the Mail suggest that Cologne value him at around £20m.