Liverpool are weighing up a move to sign Wolves centre-back Max Kilman during the summer transfer window.
That’s according to journalist Ben Jacobs. Writing for CaughtOffside, Jacobs put forward some names of players who Liverpool are looking at to bolster their defence, including Kilman.
“Liverpool will also look to bolster their defence. Keep an eye on centre-backs. They actually really liked Benoit Badiashile when he was at Monaco, but Chelsea swooped in,” the journalist explained.
“Liverpool are tracking Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, who Chelsea almost pre-agreed a deal for last summer. The Croatian scored against Manchester City in the Champions League and is attracting plenty of interest, including from Pep Guardiola’s side as well as Real Madrid and PSG. There is a £98m buyout clause, but it doesn’t become active until summer 2024
“I am told Gvardiol wants a Premier League move and the notion he’s ‘picked’ Real is incorrect. He’s also on record as saying Liverpool are his “dream club” because he watched many of their games with his dad when younger.
“Frankfurt’s Evan Ndicka is another name of note and he’s available on a free transfer as things stand. And Liverpool have long been linked with Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic (a Juventus target) and I am also told Liverpool, like Spurs, would consider Wolves’ Max Kilman.
“You could make an argument Liverpool need a left -and right- sided centre-back even if both don’t play instantly together as a new first-choice pairing in 2023/24.
Liverpool looking into defensive refresh
Liverpool definitely need to start looking at the future of their defence. Whether they need both left and right sided options is debatable, though.
Injury permitting, Ibrahima Konate has the future of the right side locked down. Virgil van Dijk isn’t going anywhere either and still has a few years left in him for sure.
The Dutchman won’t go on forever though, so right now Liverpool’s priority should be to find his successor. In doing so, they’ll hopefully line up a long-term partner for Konate.
In amongst that, there will also be the need for younger back-up at some stage. Should they target Kilman, this is surely the role he’d fill.
With respect to the 24-year-old, he doesn’t feel a player of the required quality to take Liverpool onto the next level. He’s kicked on this season, and has been called ‘outstanding’ by Conor Coady in the past. But it’s a big jump to join Liverpool. Kilman would certainly be cheaper than reported top target Gvardiol, but the Reds would likely get what they pay for in both cases.