Liverpool step up ‘interest’ in £51m La Liga star described as ‘ideal’ Virgil van Dijk replacement

Liverpool are reportedly set to pursue a highly-regarded defender seen as the perfect successor for Virgil van Dijk.

While Liverpool’s summer transfer window began slowly, they ended it on a high note by signing Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and Federico Chiesa. Some supporters were disappointed, however, as the team did not secure a new centre-back to fill the gap left by Joel Matip, who departed as a free agent at the end of last season.

Recent reports indicate that Liverpool have now identified their top target for the centre-back role and are prepared to step up their efforts. According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Liverpool are considering a move for Loic Bade, with sporting director Richard Hughes reportedly keen on bringing him to Anfield.

The 24-year-old, who previously had a loan spell at Nottingham Forest, has impressed with La Liga’s Sevilla, where he has made 63 appearances since joining in 2023.

Securing the French defender will be difficult, as Sevilla is reportedly unwilling to accept anything below his release clause of €60 million. Furthermore, Liverpool faces competition from other major clubs, including Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, who are also interested in the promising defender.

Virgil van Dijk, who joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018 for a then-record fee of £75 million, has become one of the club’s all-time greats. As the current captain, he has made 267 Premier League appearances, keeping 105 clean sheets and scoring 22 goals.

With his contract set to expire at the end of this season and no extension in sight, it is logical for sporting director Richard Hughes to explore potential replacements. However, Van Dijk recently suggested during international duty that he would like to extend his stay at Anfield, which could lessen the urgency of finding a replacement.