Liverpool to battle Man United and Chelsea for versatile defender

Julian Ward is beginning to action his transfer plans at Liverpool.

The Englishman is back for his second stint as the club's sporting director, and his first window back in the driver's seat is fast approaching.

Liverpool need to strengthen in multiple positions before they are ready to compete on all fronts again, but opinions differ on what the recruitment team's priority should be going into the winter window.

With less than a year left on captain Virgil van Dijk's contract, the Reds will have already started looking at potential replacements, but they may face some tough competition from Premier League rivals.

Manchester United and Chelsea to compete with Liverpool for Van Dijk successor

AC Milan's Belgian defender Koni De Winter has been one of the standout performers in a side that's endured a rocky start under Ruben Amorim.

The Italian giants sit in fifth, seven points off top after 10 games in Serie A, but the Rossoneri have lost three of their opening four games in the Europa League.

De Winter has started all but one game this season and has already earned eight caps for Belgium.

Capable of playing through the middle, at right-back or in a back three, the 24-year-old is extremely versatile and would definitely be a useful addition to Andoni Iraola's side.

According to a report from Caught Offside, Liverpool alongside Chelsea and Manchester United are keeping close tabs on De Winter ahead of a potential move either in January or the summer.

Several other clubs including, Tottenham, Newcastle, Leeds and Brentford are also listed as interested parties from the Premier League, and there are bound to be suitors on the continent too.

There is no indication of how much a deal for De Winter could cost, but with so many teams interested AC Milan will be hoping a bidding war ensues to push up the Belgian's price tag.

Even if it doesn't come in January, De Winter feels destined to make the move to the Premier League eventually and Anfield could be his new home.