Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp lines up £70m Virgil Van Dijk replacement
By Bence Bocsak
Liverpool could land a major star.
Jurgen Klopp was scratching his head. The Liverpool boss was grinning but behind the veil he was seething from the pain. He could feel the developing headache. The tiny pang on his temples. As soon as Virgil Van Dijk was pummelled to the ground the German knew the ill portents. He knew what was about to happen.
It has been an impending doom. The club’s other senior centre-backs have never been consistent in terms of staying fit. And with Virgil Van Dijk’s major blow, they have fallen down one by one ever since. First it was the superfluous Joel Matip. Then Fabinho was scythed down by the dreaded injury table.
It has left the club with just one single option at the back in Joe Gomez and Klopp will undoubtedly have to deploy one of his youngsters in the Reds’ game against West Ham United. Rhys Williams is the likely candidate. The 19 year old has experience in the lower tiers of English football and has deputised well for the Brazilian in the Champions League earlier this week.
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It will be a tough test.
And it is clear, Jurgen Klopp cannot afford to rely on the young man going forward into the future.
If the German is to fulfil his aspirations at Anfield, he might be forced into investing heavily in order to ensure the club find a ready made Virgil Van Dijk replacement.
Purportedly, one of the players being lined up for a potential move according to 90min.com is the exciting Jules Kounde.
The Sevilla centre-back is valued at around £70m and he certainly looks like the finished article.
An astute ball-playing defender, Jules Kounde could be the perfect replacement and potential future partner for Van Dijk.
Jules Kounde’s proven against Premier League opposition too. He played with distinction against Wolverhampton and Manchester United in Sevilla’s Europa League triumph last season. This season, he produced another accomplished performance against Chelsea to help his club keep a clean-sheet.
At £70m Jules Kounde would be an expensive purchase, but if you intend to remain an elite club you will have to pay premium prices.
With Jules Kounde just 21 years of age, the Reds could be securing their long-term future for the next decade and when you think about it like that, £70m doesn’t even sound too much.
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Would you be happy with the signing of Jules Kounde?