Yours for £39m: Liverpool to step up interest in signing Ivory Coast standout

Liverpool began the process of overhauling their centre-back department last summer.

Giovanni Leoni arrived from Parma on a £26m deal while more signings were being finalised in January. Mor Talla Ndiaye came in from Amitie FC in Senegal and deals were put in place for both Jeremy Jacquet and Ifeanyi Ndukwe.

With Liverpool likely to lose Ibrahima Konate at the end of the current season - and Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez out of contract in summer 2027 - there is a good reason for the club’s centre-back shakeup.

With Konate leaving in 2026 - and Van Dijk and Gomez likely to follow in 2027 - it may leave an experience gap in the heart of the backline.

Leoni, Jacquet and the others are fine young defenders but are lacking top-flight experience in their careers thus far.

One option could be to add an experienced defender to help them along - while also increasing Arne Slot’s quality and numbers for the season ahead.

Liverpool to step up interest in Ndicka

The latest name in the frame is Evan Ndicka - Roma’s 26-year-old centre-back who now looks set to move on.

Caught Offside reports that Liverpool are one of a number of clubs eyeing up a deal for the Cote d’Ivoire international - who joined the Italian club in 2023.

Prior to Roma the left-footer was on the books of Eintracht Frankfurt - with whom he won the Europa League. Under contract until 2028 Roma rejected an offer from Al Nassr for the French-born stopper last summer.

And the report claims that a bid of around £39m could be enough to entice the Serie A side into selling.

Ndicka to cost £39m

“Barcelona, Tottenham, and Liverpool are among the clubs tracking Ndicka,” the report reads.

“Barcelona have been following him for a long time, and Roma are prepared to consider offers exceeding €45 million (£39m).

“Tottenham and Liverpool are also expected to increase their interest as part of their defensive reinforcement plans.

“Manchester United have entered the race as well. Bayern Munich are also showing interest.”

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