Liverpool need to target contract rebel who could join for free this summer

Liverpool entered the next stage of their defensive rebuild when they announced a £60 million deal that will bring Jeremy Jacquet to Anfield this summer.

After adding Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni to their back line last summer it is clear that an overhaul of the defence Arne Slot inherited from Jurgen Klopp has begun.

Ibrahima Konate has less than six months on his deal, and there is plenty of doubt over the long-term future of Joe Gomez with several teams interested.

It feels likely the Reds will have to add more than one body to their backline in the coming transfer window.

Jacquet is a great talent, but there is a Premier League defender that would be a perfect piece in Liverpool’s rebuild.

Liverpool could get the perfect defender for free

Leoni and Jacquet are two of the most exiting young defenders in Europe, but neither has played more than 40 topflight games, and both are still developing.

It would make sense for Liverpool to try and bring in some experience to their backline if they do lose Gomez and Konate, especially with Virgil van Dijk entering the last year of his deal.

The Reds need look no further than Manchester City for the perfect candidate: John Stones.

Stones is also in the final few months of his deal and, according to CaughtOffside, the Englishman is unlikely to be offered a new deal and will be available for free this summer.

Stones would be ideal for Liverpool’s transition

The veteran defender has played over 250 Premier League matches and also boasts over 60 Champions League appearances.

Although he will be 32 by the time next season starts, Stones’ experience make him the ideal option to provide cover for Leoni and Jacquet as they get up to speed in the Premier League.

Stones would also provide the Reds some more time to find a replacement for Van Dijk, should he leave at the end of the 2026/27 season.

Although the 87-capped Englishman isn’t a long-term option for Slot’s side, he would ease the transition process and has proven how capable he is of competing at the very top level.

Stones’ career has been hampered by injuries over the last few seasons, but a less prominent role at Liverpool would offer him the opportunity to continue to win trophies and help develop the next generation of the Reds’ defence.

A free transfer for Stones makes perfect sense for Liverpool in the short-term.

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