Liverpool are gearing up for a significant transfer battle in the January window as they seek to sign Sevilla defender Loïc Badé, with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich also showing interest. The Reds are in the market for a successor to their captain, Virgil van Dijk, who is now 33 years old and entering the final season of his contract.
While Van Dijk remains one of the best defenders in the world and shows no signs of decline, uncertainty looms over his contract negotiations.
Liverpool, known for maintaining a strict policy on offering lucrative deals to players past their prime, must make a decision on their defensive leader. Given Van Dijk’s importance, the club cannot afford to lose him as a free agent, but they also recognize the need to find a long-term replacement.
According to Fichajes, Liverpool have identified 24-year-old Badé as a potential successor to Van Dijk. The French defender, who plays for Sevilla, has a release clause of €60 million. Badé has emerged as one of Sevilla’s key players, known for his solid technique, ability to influence the game from the backline, and willingness to venture forward, reminiscent of Joel Matip’s style under Jürgen Klopp.
Loïc Badé. Credit: Imago Images
Badé has honed his skills and is entering the prime of his career, making him an appealing target for Liverpool. While he has yet to reach Van Dijk’s level of performance and consistency, the Frenchman possesses the attributes to become a top-tier defender. His aerial dominance, passing ability, and composure in possession make him a strong candidate to anchor Liverpool’s defense in the future.
However, there are certain challenges with the potential signing. Liverpool traditionally prefer left-footed centre-backs, while Badé is right-footed. Additionally, concerns have been raised about his lack of pace, which could be a liability in the fast-paced environment of the Premier League.
With a hectic schedule of Premier League and Champions League fixtures on the horizon, Liverpool must ensure they have sufficient defensive depth to compete on multiple fronts. Van Dijk’s continued excellence underscores the need for a reliable backup or successor, and Badé could be the ideal candidate to gradually step into that role.
As the January window approaches, Liverpool will have to fend off strong competition from PSG and Bayern Munich to secure Badé’s services, potentially making this one of the key transfer battles of the season.
