Aston Villa move getting serious for £17m player as Liverpool prepare to lose out

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Liverpool have hardly set pulses racing in the January transfer market so far.

The Reds currently sit top of both the Premier League and Champions League and there’s a good argument that they do not need to add to their squad this winter.

However, injuries in defence over November and December brought to light just how frail the options in Liverpool’s back line are.

All of Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez, Kostas Tsimikas and Conor Bradley picked up problems, and the Reds’ form dipped a little as a result.

With that in mind, most supporters would like to see a new defensive addition come in mid-season.

One player linked with making that switch has been Sevilla centre-back Loic Bade. But according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Bade is soon likely to be off the market.

Aston Villa advancing in Loic Bade move

Reports throughout the season have claimed that Liverpool have been watching Bade as a potential ‘bargain’ addition in defence.

Although the 24-year-old has a reported release clause of around £42m with Sevilla, there have been suggestions that Liverpool could sign Bade for just £17m.

As they look to make their first centre-back signing since 2021, you can understand why that price-tag would be appealing to the Liverpool owners.

Still young and having recently received a France call-up, there were claims that Bade was being seen as Virgil van Dijk replacement at Anfield.

READ MORE: Liverpool take new step towards signing Joshua Kimmich from Bayern Munich this summer

Nevertheless, as per Romano’s Saturday morning update on X, it is Aston Villa, not the Reds, who are advancing to sign Bade this Janauary.

“Aston Villa are prepared to advance on Loic Bade deal as top target with Diego Carlos leaving, plan confirmed,” says Romano.

Liverpool miss out on another target

Although there will be frustration at Liverpool missing out on another potential target – especially one available at such a good price – there should be some sympathy with the Reds on this one.

Liverpool are still waiting to find out what will happen with Van Dijk. The Dutchman is still yet to pen a new deal beyond the end of this season.

As Rousing The Kop exclusively revealed on Saturday, there remains confidence that Van Dijk will stay, but until that is confirmed, Liverpool can’t really plan effectively in defence.

If they need a player to come in and actively take over duties from their captain, that is a very different signing to one such as Bade who would more likely be a back-up.

Whichever way you look at it, though, another one is set to bite the dust for the Reds in the market.