Liverpool 'closely monitoring' Bundesliga wonderkid ahead of potential move

Liverpool still have a lot of work that needs to be done on their team.

The Anfield outfit's depth outside of their starting XI isn't the best with players such as Lewis Koumas and Trey Nyoni taking up prominent places in their squad.

Indeed, the fact that youngsters are being used as regular first-team players is obviously a breath of fresh air from Arne Slot's time in charge of the club but, for a team of Liverpool's calibre, they shouldn't have to be relying on players such as Koumas to play regular roles.

In the future, he could obviously come good and meet his potential but, at the moment, it's not ideal for the Reds to be using him week-in and week-out.

Obviously, some additions need to be made to Liverpool's attack before they're on the same level as some of their title rivals but, there are also other areas among their ranks that could do with another upgrade or two.

And now, it feels like Iraola could be preparing Liverpool for their future once again, especially after the latest transfer news to emerge from Anfield.

Liverpool want Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch

Liverpool's defence was one of their main areas of focus in the summer transfer window.

Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson both exited and, since Jarell Quansah was never really replaced thanks to the injury that Giovanni Leoni suffered, they had a massive void that needed to be filled in the centre.

That's where Ronald Araujo came in. The 27-year-old was brought in from Barcelona with Jeremy Jacquet also being added to Liverpool's ranks.

However, with Virgil van Dijk's contract set to expire in June 2027, there could be another gap for Liverpool to plug.

So, the fact that FussballDaten have now shared that the Reds are interested in centre-back Finn Jeltsch, makes a lot of sense.

"The 20-year-old German central defender Finn Jeltsch from VfB Stuttgart continues to make transfer headlines across Europe thanks to his mature performances, his defensive discipline and his enormous potential," they wrote.

"According to transfer sources, the following clubs in particular have shown interest and have been intensively involved with Jeltsch, especially during the summer transfer window of 2026:

"Arsenal: The Premier League club is reportedly planning to review the player's situation and prepare a concrete approach.

"Manchester United: The top English club is monitoring the defender very closely in order to strengthen its defense in the long term and keeps its scouting records up to date.

"Bayern Munich: The German record champions are among the clubs that are following Jeltsch's development in the Bundesliga particularly closely and see him as a possible component of the future defense of the German national team.

"Liverpool: The club is closely monitoring Yeltsch's tactical development and his overall progress.

"Juventus: The top Italian club is also actively monitoring the young central defender and inquiring about the conditions for a possible transfer."

Liverpool don't need another young centre-back

Liverpool's main transfer strategy over the last couple of years has been to prepare for the future.

Every single deal that the Reds have made in the transfer window has been with half an eye cast towards their future.

For example, Milos Kerkez was Liverpool's long-term successor for Robertson and Jacquet was supposed to be the Reds' next Van Dijk.

However, with them signing so many youngsters for the future, they now have an abundance of rather unexperienced centre-backs among their ranks with barely any leaders.

So, while Jeltsch may have quickly become one of Stuttgart's most important defenders, the fact that he's 20 years old and has only spent three years in the Bundesliga is a bit of a worrying sign.

But, if the world's biggest clubs are all vying for him, at the right price, he could definitely be worth a punt.

The only problem with his arrival would be that he can't be seen as someone who could fit straight into Iraola's plans, not yet anyway.

If the Reds want to sign another young centre-back then they'll certainly be set for the future but, with all the problems they're facing now with homegrown players, adding another foreign youngster to the mix certainly isn't going to help matters much.