Liverpool have shortlisted Juventus’s Pierre Kalulu and AS Roma’s Wesley Franca among their right-back targets for 2027, according to Tuttomercatoweb.
Liverpool’s right-back position has come under scrutiny since the start of the season, not for a lack of personnel, but for a lack of a reliable starter.
Among the current options, Conor Bradley remains sidelined due to a lengthy injury he suffered last campaign, while Jeremie Frimpong has failed to impress since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen.
The Dutchman arrived with high hopes, and expectations were that he would replicate the immense attacking output Trent Alexander-Arnold showed before leaving for Real Madrid.
However, 41 games later, he has only produced four goal contributions and has been found wanting for defensive lapses, like in the 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest and most recently in the 3-0 defeat against Manchester City, where Rayan Cherki cut past his sliding attempt to net City’s third goal.
His unreliability has prompted Andoni Iraola to deploy Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back in-game against Forest and to use Ronald Araujo there in the last three Premier League games.
Still, despite impressing, the Uruguayan is more suited to a centre-back role, leading the club to assess other potential natural options.
Among the options, Tuttomercatoweb reports that Juventus’ Kalulu and Roma’s Wesley have been shortlisted as possible right-back options ahead of 2027.
Shortlist
For Kalulu, valued at £26m by Transfermarkt, the report adds that his ability to play in different positions, technicality and athleticism have placed him high on Liverpool’s radar ahead of a possible move.
While Juventus are looking to reward the France international with a bumper contract beyond 2029, negotiations could be disrupted should the Reds make formal contact to sign him, according to the report.
On the other hand, the Merseyside giants have also placed Wesley, valued at £33m by Transfermarkt, on their shortlist, with the report adding that the club have been closely watching his performances for Roma in recent games.
Kalulu and Wesley may have different characteristics, but one constant in their games is their reliability and ability to maintain a high level of performance across matches.
Kalulu is more defensively adept, while Wesley has superior attacking quality and can also hold his own defensively.
Given Kalulu is a natural centre-back like Araujo, Wesley would be the better option for Ando Iraola’s side, as he offers a more specialised, natural right-back option who can defend and attack.
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