COMMENT: Liverpool midfielder Fabio Carvalho has been linked with a move to RB Leipzig
Liverpool should use talks with RB Leipzig over a reported move for Fabio Carvalho to persuade the Bundesliga club to release Josko Gvardiol. While Jurgen Klopp and new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke will be concentrating on a midfield overhaul this summer, the Reds will also require some new faces in defense.
Gvardiol would be an excellent defensive acquisition for Liverpool. The Croatian, who can play both centre-back and left-back, adds versatility and the ability to play out from the back with his left foot. Klopp currently has no central defenders who are left-footed.
Liverpool have been linked with the 21-year-old for some time, but he would face stiff competition from a number of Premier League and Champions League rivals. Chelsea and Manchester City are also said to be interested in signing the Leipzig youngster.
A reported £97 million release clause supposedly goes into effect in the summer of 2024, but Liverpool should spend big this summer to sign one of the world’s most coveted young defenders. And they could use the reported move for midfielder Carvalho as an opportunity to start talks.
Liverpool have rejected an opening bid from Leipzig for Carvalho, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The Premier League club do not want to lose the 20-year-old on a permanent basis, despite reports last week that he was not in Klopp’s plans.
Carvalho’s future at Anfield is uncertain after failing to break into Klopp’s preferred lineup last season, despite the poor form of several other midfielders. Liverpool paid around £8 million in compensation to sign the playmaker from Fulham last year, but he appears to be on his way out.
The Portugal U21 international, who has also represented England at other ages, has been linked with both permanent and loan moves away from the club. Leipzig, it appears, is interested in a deal.
Klopp and Schmadtke, whose appointment was announced earlier this week, will have a busy summer transfer window. The German is a close friend of Klopp’s and replaces the departing Julian Ward, who left Wolfsburg in February.
This summer, Liverpool are expected to prioritize midfield acquisitions. Last season, Klopp’s midfield struggled with form and fitness, resulting in a disappointing fifth-place finish.
Both James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have left, making room for new arrivals. Mason Mount of Chelsea has been linked with a move to Anfield, though Liverpool are said to face competition from Manchester United.
A move for Gvardiol, however expensive, would strengthen Liverpool’s defense. He would form a long-term partnership with former Leipzig defensive colleague Ibrahima Konate.
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