Liverpool are reportedly leading the race to secure a summer transfer deal for Torino defender Perr Schuurs.
As things stand, the Reds currently have a significant number of players in their squad that are over the age of 30, two of which make up Liverpool’s current crop of senior centre-back options – Virgil van Dijk (31) and Joel Matip (31).
Looking ahead to the next summer transfer window, it has been revealed that the club have set their sights on bringing in a young defender that could well end up being a potential long-term replacement for one of the Reds’ older defensive options.
According to a recent report from Tuttosport (via Sport Witness) Liverpool are ahead of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Schuurs this summer.
The report also adds that the Merseyside club are readying a bid of €50m (£44m) to land a deal for the centre-back, who Jurgen Klopp apparently wanted to sign back in 2020.
After making 95 appearances for Ajax, during which he scored three goals and delivered four assists, the 23-year-old joined his current side back in the previous summer transfer window.
This season has seen the Dutchman make 21 Serie A appearances for Torino, across which he has racked up more clearances (78) and more recoveries (119) than any other player at the club.
Do Liverpool need to sign a defender this month?
Yes
No
He also has one of the highest passing accuracy percentages (87.2%) in the squad, showing how comfortable he is on the ball as well as how effective he can be off it in a defensive sense, which makes it easy to see why Klopp has apparently looked at him previously.
Lauded by journalist Josh Bunting for his “outstanding” performances earlier in the season, Schuurs has also been likened to former Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Bearing in mind how Matip has reportedly been identified as someone the Merseyside club could look to offload this summer, the Torino defender has shown he has what it takes to be a solid addition to Liverpool’s squad.