Richard Hughes to BREAK Bournemouth hearts by signing France under-21 international

Liverpool are facing uncertainty in the centre-back department this summer.

Although Virgil van Dijk has been secured to a new contract - taking him until 2027 - there are question marks over several of his colleagues.

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The most pressing concern involves Ibrahima Konate. Anfieldwatch revealed Paris Saint-Germain’s interest and it also appears that Real Madrid want the Frenchman.

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Liverpool fear a repeat of the Trent Alexander-Arnold situation and could well opt to move the 25-year-old on this summer rather than risk losing him for free when his contract expires in 2026.

Jarell Quansah, meanwhile, has attracted interest from up to SIX Premier League clubs and there are no guarantees the 22-year-old will be at the club past summer.

Then there’s Joe Gomez, Liverpool’s longest-serving player, but who hasn’t managed to win over Arne Slot during an injury-hit season.

Liverpool watching Bournemouth target

Accordingly, Richard Hughes and Arne Slot are looking at plenty of centre-back talent with a restock required in that department sooner rather than later.

One name on the list had been Dean Huijsen but the Spanish international is now destined to join Real Madrid.

His departure opens up a space in the centre of Bournemouth’s defence and the indications are that Liverpool are watching the SAME player that the Cherries want to replace Huijsen.

Richard Hughes was the technical director at the Vitality Stadium until he arrived at Anfield last year and is no doubt familiar with Bournemouth’s transfer targets.

Liverpool want Nathan Zeze

Nathan Zeze, 19, is wanted by Bournemouth but Liverpool are now also in the running for the France under-21 international. That’s according to a new report in TBR Football.

The 6’3 centre-back has made a decisive breakthrough at his hometown club this season - appearing in 17 Ligue 1 games and impressing with his performances.

He missed a significant portion of the season with an ankle injury, but re-established himself in the lineup in April.

Zeze is now on the radar of the Premier League champions, with work underway to add to the centre-back options for Arne Slot.

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“Liverpool are doing detailed work on half-a-dozen central defenders, and one of those is Zeze,” reads a report in TBR Football.

Zeze made his Nantes debut back in January 2023 and is tied to the club until 2028.