Liverpool take 'active interest' in Serie A STANDOUT

Liverpool’s need to replace Virgil van Dijk is less pressing due to the defender’s recent contract renewal.

The club captain, 33, signed a new deal which will take him up to 2027 - following fears that he would leave this summer upon the expiration of his previous contract.

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With plenty of uncertainty around Van Dijk’s situation, it was speculated that sporting director Richard Hughes would move for a successor in this summer’s transfer window.

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Links appeared with the likes of Jorrel Hato and Nico Schlotterbeck - defenders who could occupy Van Dijk’s slot on the left side of the Reds’ back four straightaway.

Rather than signing a player to take over immediately from Van Dijk, now the club can focus efforts on reinforcing the backline and eventually grooming a defender to one day take over from Dutchman.

Jhon Lucumi of Bologna on Liverpool radar

One player now mooted as a potential bargain candidate is the Colombia international Jhon Lucumi. The 26-year-old plays for Bologna in Serie A and also featured for all 90 minutes in a Champions League game against the Reds earlier this season.

He was acquired from Genk in 2022, going on to establish himself as one of the most consistent defenders in the Italian top flight.

Lucumi, an international teammate of Luis Diaz, is under contract at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara until 2026 - with speculation now building that he is set for the next big step in his career.

Big teams in Serie A and the Premier League are now credited with interest in Lucumi with Bologna seeking to cash in before losing him on a free next summer.

Liverpool take active interest in Jhon Lucumi

“Several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, are taking an active interest in Bologna’s standout defender Jhon Lucumi,” reads a report in TBR Football.

“Italian giants Inter Milan and Juventus are both showing a strong interest, but there is interest from around Europe, including the Premier League.

“Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Brighton, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Leeds United are among the clubs who have recently been to watch Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi.”

Lucumi has appeared in 30 Serie A matches this season - including 27 starts - and ranks highly on FOTMOB for successful passes, touches and recoveries among players in his position.

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A naturally left-footed player, he could spread the play with his long and accurate long balls although his aerial duels winning percentage (51.2 percent) is a concern.