Liverpool show the greatest interest in signing £80million 21-year-old as well as Jude Bellingham

Liverpool are accelerating their efforts to sign RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol in addition to Jude Bellingham.

The 2022/23 Premier League season has been a brutal one for Liverpool especially considering this time last season they were gearing up for a quadruple push.

The Reds won the League Cup and FA Cup but narrowly missed out on winning the Champions League and Premier League as well.

In a devastating seven-day period, Manchester City pipped them to the league title by a single point while Real Madrid won the final of the Champions League by a solitary goal.

This season, Liverpool have lost more Premier League games (7) than they did in 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2021/22 combined (6).

Liverpool show the "greatest interest" in signing Gvardiol

With Joel Matip being heavily criticised for his performances this season, Liverpool have been linked with several defenders to replace the former Schalke star.

Selling him isn't necessary but reports suggest Liverpool want to sign Josko Gvardiol this summer. A move that would cost around £80million (€90M).

According to transfer expert Rudy Galetti, Liverpool are pushing hardest to sign the Croatian centre-back this summer as the Reds edge closer to a summer overhaul in the transfer market.

After the glory of the last few years, Jurgen Klopp finds himself needing to rebuild portions of his squad to bounce back next season.

Galetti reports that the German manager has "identified Gvardiol as the ideal central defender to work alongside Virgil van Dijk."

For now, all talks over a potential transfer have been delayed until the summer.

Gvardiol is under contract until June 2027 so any attempts to sign the defender will be on RB Leipzig's terms.

Who leaves if Liverpool sign Gvardiol this summer?

Joel Matip could leave if Liverpool decide to sell him now to recoup some value before his contract expires in the summer of 2024.

Nathaniel Phillips may also leave the club at the end of the summer after being denied a loan move in the January transfer window.

While outgoings aren't clear yet, Liverpool's interest in signing Jude Bellingham is well publicised.

They will need to beat Real Madrid and Manchester City to his signature if they're to secure his services. Recent reports from Sky Sports Germany named the Reds as favourites to sign Bellingham