Club CEO says there was no chance he was selling ‘very physical’ player to Liverpool this summer

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Liverpool made a number of signings this summer as they reshaped their midfield to the tune of more than £120m.

The Reds acted swiftly in the market to bring in some big signings and in the end, it was a successful window.

However, one player who didn’t sign and seemingly got away was Belgian defender, Arthur Theate.

Club director says Liverpool never had chance of signing Arthur Theate

Theate was linked with a move to Anfield late in the window. At the time, reports suggested the defender was a player that Liverpool and others were watching closely.

However, according to Rennes CEO Olivier Cloarec, there was simply never any chance they were selling Theate to Liverpool or anyone else.

“Arthur had a good first season and contributed to this great fourth place. The team finished third best defense, although solidity is not just the object of defenders. We are very pleased to extend it,” Cloarec said.

“If he was able to impose himself on the left side of the Red Devils defense, it is partly linked to his performances with Stade Rennais. He was asked this summer but there was, for him and for us, never any question of leaving. He is convinced that he can have a great season with Rennes.”

Theate – who has been described as a ‘very physical’ defender – will be a player to keep an eye on in future windows.

RTK’s View: Another defender needed soon

The priority this summer was always going to be rebuilding the midfield. But going into January and next summer, there is definitely a need for a new defender to come in.

With Van Dijk now over 30 and not the player he was, there is an emphasis on the other defenders in the squad to step up. Couple that with the niggles Joe Gomez and Ibou Konate have had, and it’s obvious we need another defender.

Whether or not it will eventually end up being Theate remains to be seen. For now, he’s protected by a new contract but come next summer, he’ll no doubt be a name that comes to light once again.