Liverpool to solve two big issues as talks begin over GENIUS free transfer

Liverpool conducted £450m worth of transfer spending last summer in a landmark campaign.

The Premier League champions still look short on quality and options in certain areas however and could be tempted back into the market.

In defence for example the Reds are short of top-quality centre-backs.

Sporting director Richard Hughes missed out on a deal for Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day when Crystal Palace pulled out of talks for their captain.

As a result of that transfer failure - and Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending injury - Liverpool have only got three senior fit centre-backs.

Factor in Ibrahima Konate’s expiring contract - and with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez due to leave the club in 2027 - and you can see why adding a new defender is a priority.

Liverpool need centre-back and right-back cover

Don’t forget the right-back slot either. Liverpool thought they solved the problem that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure gave them over the summer by acquiring Jeremie Frimpong and extending Conor Bradley’s contract.

But it’s not worked out like that with the duo frequently injured and Arne Slot requiring Dominik Szoboszlai as a stop-gap solution.

Now the Reds are linked with a player who could potentially solve TWO problems at once. And if the club are savvy about it then they can do add him for free.

Liverpool like Zeki Celik

Zeki Celik, 28, has been at Roma since swapping Lille for the Italian capital in 2022. Since then he has grown into an established and versatile first-team option for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.

TEAMtalk now reports that Liverpool are among the teams to conduct high-level talks for the Turkish international - who is out of contract in 2026.

With no breakthrough over a new deal, Celik could be sold in January or else walk out the door for free next summer.

Talks commence for Zeki Celik

“Celik is out of contract at AS Roma at the end of the season, which has sparked interest from Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City,” the report reads.

“Man City, Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea have all made enquiries about Celik, confirming the high level of attention on the Turkey international.”

Roma are currently top of the Serie A rankings with Celik playing at either right-sided centre-back or else to the right of a wing-back system.

He would be an ideal acquisition for the Reds - even more so if there are plans to move to a back-three formation.

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