Liverpool are set to sign a new centre-back this summer, with Lille youngster Leny Yoro a known target, but who else could the club target for the position?
After seeing Joel Matip leave at the end of his contract, the Reds are heading into a short transfer window for a centre-back.
Arne Slott’s side could be argued to have just three specialist senior options, with Joe Gomez playing most of his games at full-back due to his versatility.
So it should come as no surprise that centre-back is a priority position for Liverpool to fill ahead of the new campaign.
But who could be brought in to join Virgil van Dijk, Jarell Quansah and Ibrahima Konate this summer?
Leny Yoro (Lille)
Age: 18
nationality: France
French teenager Yoro is the most obvious candidate, following reports that Liverpool are “actively pursuing” a deal for the breakthrough talent.
Having already played 60 times for Lille and now a provisional France U23 squad for the Olympics, Yoro is closer to Van Dijk’s mold than the forward style of Konate and Quansah.
That makes him an interesting candidate to be the long-term successor to the Liverpool captain, although a deal this summer may not be straightforward.
Real Madrid are believed to be leading the race, while Man United and Paris Saint-Germain are also linked with interest.
Jean-Clair Todibo (OGC Nice)
Age: 24
nationality: France
Another Frenchman who could be considered is Todibo, who was rumored to have moved to Anfield back in 2018, when he was 18 himself and still at Toulouse.
Now 24, the 6’3″ defender had a frustrating spell at Barcelona which saw him loaned out to Schalke, Benfica and then OGC Nice, where he finally settled in 2021.
Expected to leave Nice, Todibo is a forward centre-back who is extremely comfortable in possession, ranking in the elite percentile among his peers in passes attempted (96th), progressive passes (85th), progressive passes (83rd) and successful passes with strokes -ons (96.).
As a right-back, this could make him an ideal replacement for Matip, competing with the injury-prone Konate.
Willian Pacho (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Age: 22
nationality: Ecuador
Constantly mentioned in the German press, speculation about Liverpool and Frankfurt defender Pacho has “substance”, according to Merseyside journalist Neil Jones.
It’s unclear if that would result in a move, but it makes sense why the 22-year-old Ecuador international would be considered.
Pacho is particularly dominant on the ground and is strong in possession, suggesting he could quickly fit into a system that Slot uses.
A price tag of around £43m could make the deal feasible.
Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP)
Age: 20
nationality: Ivory Coast
Another reliably reported target is Sporting CP’s Diomande, with This is Anfieldis David Lynch among those who confirmed the club’s interest in January.
Diomande is seen as a similar talent to Yoro, part of an emerging new breed of elite-level centre-backs, so it makes sense that Liverpool would follow him.
The 20-year-old is a natural right centre-back, and again very comfortable on the ball: 94th percentile for pass attempts, 97th for pass completion, 91st for progressive passing and 80th for progressive passing.
One red flag, however, would be Diomande’s status as an Ivory Coast international, which increases the risk of losing him during the mid-season window for the Africa Cup of Nations – but it should be noted that the next tournament will take place in the summer.
Levi Colwill (Chelsea)
Age: 21
nationality: England
After last summer’s saga, Colwill wouldn’t normally be considered a viable option, but the fact that his name has started to crop up again suggests the Englishman could be open to a move.
After losing his place at Chelsea towards the end of last season, he has again been linked with a move to Anfield, while Bayern Munich are also the subject of interest.
Although still unlikely, signing Colwill would be a coup for Liverpool, as he is ready to break through as a stylish left centre-back and has the right to be a homegrown player.
If possible, it’s a deal that those at Anfield would surely jump at.
Nico Schlotterbeck (Dortmund)
Age: 24
nationality: Germany
The first defender on this list who hasn’t been linked with a move to Anfield, Schlotterbeck would undoubtedly feature in Liverpool’s pursuit when it comes to data.
He is in the high percentile for every on-the-ball metric, along with tackles (93rd), tackles (71st) and blocks (87th), having shone with Dortmund in the campaign just gone.
There is no indication he would be keen to leave the Champions League finalists, but Schloterback would likely be considered if available.
Ronald Araujo (Barcelona)
Age: 25
nationality: Uruguay
Having agreed reduced terms on his contract in 2022, Araujo could now reportedly be sold this summer to address Barcelona’s ongoing financial problems.
If so, Liverpool should be in talks for the player who has been linked with Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Man United and Aston Villa.
Lightning fast and physically imposing, Araujo uses his aggression to dominate the high line, while being strong on the ball and, most importantly, in the air.
An international team-mate with Darwin Nunez, the Uruguayan would be an exciting addition to Liverpool’s defensive ranks.
Odilon Kossounou (Bayer Leverkusen)
Bundesliga in the bag ???? #OK6 pic.twitter.com/F4vD49Pajj
— Odilon Kossounou (@OdilonKosounou) May 18, 2024
Age: 23
nationality: Ivory Coast
Diomande’s fellow Ivorian, Kossounou played a role in Bayer Leverkusen’s remarkable double-winning campaign under Xabi Alonso as a progressive right-wing centre-back.
Via Transfermarkt Stefan Bienkowskihowever, Leverkusen “are not against selling at the right price” as they believe that “it would not be difficult to replace him”.
While this suggests he may not be the best option for a club like Liverpool, there is evidence that Kossounou has a good side to develop in Slott’s squad.
David Hancko (Feyenoord)
Age: 26
nationality: Slovakia
Slott’s move from Feyenoord to Liverpool brought a number of predictable links with his former players, including goalkeeper Justin Bijlow, defender Lutsharel Geertruida and midfielder Mats Wieffer.
The links with Hancko might be more understandable, given that the new head coach has seen him develop into a leading centre-back during their time in Rotterdam.
The Slovak has played 93 times in his two seasons at Feyenoord so far, with his ability to draw the ball out of defense from his role on the left a key spot for the Dutch side.
Hanck’s agent already claimed Liverpool’s interest when he spoke to TN.cz in January, and Sloto’s arrival could only improve that.
Piero Hincapie (Bayer Leverkusen)
Age: 22
nationality: Ecuador
Hincapie could be similar to Hancko, as the Ecuadorian is capable of playing both centre-back and left-back and would therefore help shift the emphasis to that side.
Still only 22, Hincapie played 119 times for Leverkusen, including 43 appearances in their triumphant season last term, becoming a key player for Alonso.
His agent also cited interest from Anfield, with Manuel Sierra claiming they “decided to invest in midfield” instead last summer, before citing a price tag of at least €50m (£42.3m).
