Richard Hughes told that Liverpool will need 'big money' to sign centre-back

Liverpool's defence is overdue for a massive overhaul this summer.

Although Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni were all brought in last time around, it still feels like the Reds could do with a couple of new faces at the back.

If all of Arne Slot's first-team squad managed to keep fit they'd have more than enough options to choose from.

However, since Frimpong, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez can't play more than five games in a row, Slot has often been left in a bit of a pickle with some even saying that Liverpool's right-back spot was cursed.

This lack of depth has caused many many defenders to be linked with an Anfield switch and now, it feels like some moves could finally be about to fall into place.

Liverpool would need to splash a lot of money to sign Jaka Bijol from Leeds United

Last week, Leeds United's Jaka Bijol was linked with a Liverpool move following his solid performances at Elland Road.

His teammate Jayden Bogle was also surprisingly linked with a switch when the Anfield outfit were on the hunt for a stop-gap right-back to try and solve their defensive woes.

And, although a move for Bogle doesn't seem to be on the cards anymore, Bijol could be an option that Slot and Hughes explore.

Liverpool are in dire need of a centre-back or two next season otherwise they could end up even worse off than they are now.

And, according to an update from Pete O'Rourke, it seems like only a "big money" offer would tempt Leeds into selling the 27-year-old.

"[Bijol] is a monster at centre-back, loves the physical side of the game, very good in the aerial challenges as well," he said to Football Insider.

"I think Leeds right now, if they stay up, which is looking positive for them, they’ll be keen to keep hold of their best players and build on what they have achieved this season.

"Bijol was a bit of a snip at £15million from Udinese. It would take big money to even consider Leeds letting him move on anytime soon."

Liverpool must ensure that they get their centre-back transfers right in the summer

Seeing as though the future of Ibrahima Konate is still undecided, it's clear that massive amounts of change could end up occurring at Anfield this summer.

The Reds already spent around £450 million on new players at the start of the 2025-26 campaign but, since they're currently sitting outside of the top four spots, it's evident that some changes still need to be made.

If Konate does end up exiting L4 for nothing, Slot will have a massive void to fill with little-to-no money.

Virgil van Dijk's contract is also set to expire in June 2027 so, if Leoni isn't up to scratch or ends up injured again, there's another hole that they have to plug.

The 2026-27 summer transfer window could genuinely be one of the most important in the Reds' history.

And, even though Bijol has been in good form for Daniel Farke this term, Slot and Hughes must ensure that, whichever centre-backs that they sign alongside Jeremy Jacquet in the summer are up to the task.

Otherwise, they could end up being the laughing stock of the Premier League.

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