Michael Edwards can sign £25M ‘Liverpool fan’ if he makes his move

Virgil van Dijk remains a central figure in Liverpool's defence, but the club's reported interest in recruiting a new left-sided centre-half this summer suggests that preparations for a succession plan may already be underway.

The Dutch defender, who turns 33 in July, has been a stalwart for Liverpool, but as football fans know, a sudden drop in performance can occur without warning.

Liverpool are eyeing Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly, who could be a free agent this summer, as part of a list of potential successors for Van Dijk.

Other names in consideration include Chelsea's Levi Colwill, Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio, Bundesliga champion Piero Hincapie, and David Hancko from Feyenoord.

Liverpool interested in David Hancko

David Hancko's agent disclosed back in January that both Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain were interested in his client.

Although Hancko recently signed a new contract with Feyenoord, it's possible he could be tempted by a move to a bigger stage if made an offer by CEO of Football, Michael Edwards.

At 26, Hancko may not want to spend his prime years facing lower-tier Eredivisie teams when the opportunity to compete at a higher level is within reach.

In a recent interview with Algemeen Dagblad, Hancko openly discussed his ambition to play for a major club, acknowledging the appeal of testing himself in top competitions like the Premier League or Champions League.

“Not many clubs can buy me,” Hancko said. “If I played for Feyenoord for another ten years, I would be really happy. But it is also normal for a sportsman to strive for the highest.

“I sometimes look at the big clubs in the Champions League, at matches in the Premier League or other major competitions.

“And then I think; ‘How could I (play) in that shirt? Can I do what I can at Feyenoord?'”

He mentioned that he sometimes wonders whether he could perform at that level, a thought that could push him toward a new challenge outside the Eredivisie.

Feyenoord, now Eredivisie champions under Arne Slot, value Hancko at around £25 million, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, via HITC, potentially making him an attractive and more affordable option compared to other defenders with higher release clauses.

The critical question for Liverpool is whether Hancko would be willing to assume a backup role while Van Dijk is still a central figure in the team.

The Slovakian international, capped nearly 40 times, has expressed admiration for Van Dijk and revealed that he became a Liverpool fan after the iconic 2005 Champions League final, when compatriot Martin Skrtel was playing for the Reds.

Liverpool's search for a suitable replacement for Van Dijk will be pivotal as the club plans for the future, ensuring they remain competitive in domestic and European competitions.

While Hancko's interest in Liverpool is clear, the timing of a move and his willingness to bide his time on the bench will play a crucial role in determining if the club goes ahead with a transfer.