LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND — Liverpool have been told it would take a “huge fee” for a Premier League rival to accept the exit of their best defender. The defender only signed for the club in the summer.
The Reds could see significant movement in their defence next summer. Virgil van Dijk will be out of contract. Ronald Araujo is currently set to return to Barcelona.
If both players leave, Liverpool will be on the hunt for two new defenders. The club has identified several targets to strengthen its backline.
Interest in Luka Vuskovic
TEAMtalk understands that one of the defenders Liverpool is interested in is Brighton’s Luka Vuskovic. The centre-back only joined Brighton in the summer on a £50 million deal.
Vuskovic is currently Brighton’s top-rated defender. He has an average FotMob score of 7.28 per game. This makes him the 11th best central defender in the Premier League.
The Seagulls are not going to let go of their prized asset easily. Reports from Pete O’Rourke suggest that Brighton will demand a massive fee for the Croatian international.
“It will take a huge fee to even make Brighton entertain losing him, which they’re not. They want to keep hold of him. He’s just arrived and is having a great impact down on the south coast,” O’Rourke told Football Insider.
Top Clubs Interested
TEAMtalk is aware that a host of top clubs are tracking Vuskovic after his stellar start to life with Brighton.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are the two sides alongside Liverpool who sources describe as “seriously interested” in the Croatian defender.
Bayern Munich and Chelsea have also been monitoring him for some time.
There is a sense that Vuskovic is open to moving to Bayern. He impressed in the Bundesliga with Hamburg last season.
Brighton’s Stance
Brighton are under no pressure to sell their star player. Vuskovic is contracted to the club until 2031.
While some of Europe’s elite are watching, they might have to continue to do so until they are ready to stump up a large sum to prise him away from the Amex Stadium.
Brighton’s strong negotiating position means any interested club will have to pay a premium to secure his services.
What This Means
The interest in Vuskovic highlights his rapid rise in English football. He has quickly established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
For Liverpool, signing him would be a statement of intent. But the club will face stiff competition from some of Europe’s biggest names.
What Happens Next
Liverpool will continue to monitor Vuskovic’s situation. The club will also assess other defensive targets.
For now, the focus is on the current season. The transfer window is still months away.
