Liverpool open talks for France international

Liverpool have got several issues to solve following a run of six defeats in seven matches.

Arne Slot is going to have to come up with some pretty compelling solutions and fast - with Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Manchester City all on the agenda before the November international window.

Of all the problems facing Slot, perhaps the trickiest right now is at centre-back. The Reds made big changes in the sector over the summer with Jarell Quansah leaving and Giovanni Leoni coming into the club.

But disaster struck for the 18-year-old on debut - with the £26m signing from Parma tearing an ACL.

Liverpool were left with only THREE senior defensive options - in the shape of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez.

Liverpool linked with several new centre-backs

The failure to land Marc Guehi looks all the more profound right now - with Andy Robertson and Gomez forming an unconvincing partnership in the Reds’ latest reverse against Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

Worse still, more instability looms.

Konate is out of contract in summer 2026 and if no agreement is reached on a new deal then he will be leaving for free in 2026.

Factor in Van Dijk’s contract - expiring in 2027 - and Gomez’s uncertain future and you can see exactly why so many links currently exist to other centre-backs.

Senior options such as Micky van de Ven, Ronald Araujo and Nico Schlotterbeck have all been heavily linked with moves to Liverpool - either in January or beyond.

Liverpool hold initial talks for Upamecano

And don’t rule out the possibility of a free transfer either.

Liverpool will be right there for Guehi once again next summer - although competition for the England man is going to increase dramatically.

And one more defender now on the Reds’ radar is Dayot Upamecano. The France international is in a similar situation to Les Bleus’ teammate Konate - out of contract in 2026 and very much in demand.

Current club Bayern Munich are hoping he will stay but right now the 26-year-old and his employers remain apart in negotiations. It’s been reported that FC Hollywood FEAR Liverpool getting involved in the bidding for the RB Leipzig man.

Chelsea ALSO in the running for Upamecano

And now comes a report claiming that Liverpool - along with Chelsea - have already started talking to Upamecano over a free transfer next summer.

“Chelsea and Liverpool have already held talks to anticipate Upamecano's free transfer,” a report in Fichajes reads.

“According to recent reports, both clubs have held talks this month with intermediaries for the French defender to explore terms and prepare offers that would allow them to secure his signature.”

It’s clear right now that Liverpool need both numbers and quality in the position - and they could do with clarity as soon as possible. Adding Upamecano - a world-class centre-back in top form - would be a smart move if they can get in in front of their rivals.

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