The transfer reports never seem to stop where Liverpool are concerned, even with the window closed, the rumour mill continues to speculate new potential signings.
It is not long until the January window opens after all, and The Athletic are already linking Liverpool with five potential central back replacements following the long-term loss to Virgil van Dijk.
The list includes some big-name players such as RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano and Wolves captain Conor Coady as well as Ozan Kabak of Schalke and Ben White of Brighton.
However, the most surprising name that has been touted as a potential target is Torino centre-back, Gleison Bremer.
Gleison Bremer’s fact-file
1) Bremer is currently in his third season with Torino having started his professional career with Atletico Mineiro in his native Brazil after spending time on loan at Sao Paulo as a youngster.
2) The towering centre-back made 26 first-team appearances for his boyhood club before completing a move to Europe with Italian club Torino back in the summer of 2018 who cost the Serie A outfit cost €5.8 million/£5.3 million.
3) The 23-year-old featured on just five occasions during his inaugural campaign in Serie A but did establish himself as a key component at the back last season. Bremer clocked up 27 league appearances during the 2019/20 campaign, scoring thrice and registering an assist, as Torino finished 16th in the standings and narrowly avoided relegation.
4) According to reports in Italy, Bremer was monitored by Everton in the previous summer window. Fulham also maintain an interest in the player.
5) He currently has three years remaining on his contract at the Olympic Grande Torino Stadium.
What is his situation?
Bremer is under contract at Torino until 2023 and so the Italian club are under no pressure to sell.
SportItalia, via Football Italia note that Torino paid just over £5 million to secure the Brazilian’s services over two years ago so if Liverpool would likely have to play more than double that figure if they were to pursue a move.
Given Liverpool’s maintained transfer policy since Jurgen Klopp joined in 2015 has been to sign players aged 26 or younger, unless given great reason to do otherwise – as was the case with Thiago Alcantara, that’s the first criteria in the search.
The pool of leagues Liverpool usually look to recruit from usually feature from Europe’s top five domestic leagues and teams that feature either in the Champions League or Europa League
How does he play?
Bremer is definitely a defence-first centre-back as opposed to someone who thrives in possession and his qualities on the ball may not be quite the standard that Liverpool usually uphold meaning it would take time before he is able to hold down a regular spot in the team.
However, defensively, he is more than capable and his statistical output is very encouraging. Last season he averaged he 2.3 tackles per game (PG) as well as 2.7 interceptions and 4.1 clearences.
This would imply that he is a great reader of the game and is particularly aggressive in his approach to step-up and intercept the ball. His tackling ability is also among the best in Europe according to WhoScored.
Would he be a good signing?
Liverpool’s start to the season shows extra help in defence is needed.
The next few months are big for the likes of Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Fabinho who are currently Liverpool’s only experienced central defensive options at Klopp’s disposal.
Bremer is an outstanding talent who has risen to the challenge in both Brazil and Italy early in his career and is already closing in on 50 Serie A appearances.
Inevitably, it all comes down to price and who financially represents the shrewdest example of business. Upamecano, who has a relatively cheap release clause, is a younger and more experienced option to Bremer but it all hinges on whether Liverpool can strike a deal immediately on January 1 as the club cannot afford to enter the New Year engaged in a bidding war with numerous European clubs.
For that reason, sporting director Micahel Edwards will likely already be laying down the groundwork to get numerous potential options in the pipeline as early as possible.
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