Liverpool have worked on major plans to strengthen their squad in the summer after winning the Premier League. However, they are being forced to be flexible after missing out on a couple of top targets ahead of the start of the next transfer window.
While the Merseyside giants are close to bringing in their first new signing even before the current season ends, they have had a few setbacks in the market as well.
Dean Huijsen was a top target for Liverpool, but the club have walked away from the negotiations with the player now almost certain to join Real Madrid this summer.
Arne Slot wants a new defender for his squad next season, and the Merseyside giants are now set to beat Chelsea to the signature of their new priority target.
Name the team Liverpool signed these players from in the 2010s?
The Reds turn their attention towards a teenage prodigy
Slot has turned his attention towards raiding the Eredivisie for one of the brightest young defensive talents coming out of the Netherlands in recent times
Jorrel Hato has been on Liverpool’s radar for a while, and Virgil van Dijk is in favour of taking his international teammate to Anfield this summer.
However, the Reds have now intensified their interest in the Dutchman after missing out on Huijsen. But they are facing competition from Chelsea.
However, the presence of Van Dijk and a powerful Dutch contingent on Merseyside gives Liverpool a major edge in the race.
Fabrizio Romano has admitted negotiations with Ajax are likely to be complicated as the 19-year-old is a massive player for the Dutch giants.
“Jorrel Hato is for sure in the list of Liverpool and Chelsea”, the journalist said on his YouTube channel.
“Both clubs appreciate the player and have been monitoring him.
“It’s not an easy negotiation with Ajax, he’s a very important player for them, but he’s one of the candidates for these two clubs now they are expected to miss on their target Dean Huijsen.”
Ajax are likely to sell Hato if they receive a deal worth £42m in the summer window.
