Liverpool are interested in signing Stuttgart defender Waldemar Anton, a former teammate of Wataru Endo, according to reports in Germany.
The Reds will attempt to add fresh players during the summer transfer window as they prepare for their debut season under new head coach Arne Slot. They are thought to be looking for a new centre-back, with Joel Matip leaving this month after his contract expired.
According to German outlet Sport BILD, Liverpool is interested in Anton, who recently led Stuttgart to an impressive second-place finish in the Bundesliga, surpassing Bayern Munich and qualifying for the Champions League.
If Anton does join Liverpool, it will not be the first time the Reds have signed Stuttgart’s captain, as they did with Endo last summer. The Japan international instantly became a fan favourite at Anfield, appearing 44 times and scoring three goals in 2023/24.
Before deciding on his club future, Anton will first navigate the European Championships, where Germany will compete for continental cutlery on home soil. They started their campaign with a 5-1 victory over Scotland on Friday night.
Virgil van Dijk is poised to enter the final year of his contract at Anfield, with his future uncertain despite his dedication to helping the club build in the post-Jurgen Klopp era. A fresh face in defence would be excellent news for Liverpool.
Youngster Jarell Quansah made steady progress last season and was named to England’s provisional Euro 2024 squad before being cut from the final team. Joe Gomez has mostly been used as a full-back in the last year, while Ibrahima Konate is still a key member of Liverpool’s backline but has frequently struggled with injury since joining from RB Leipzig in 2021.
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Liverpool to offer £84 million to sign a forward compared to Mohamed Salah
Liverpool have made an offer to sign a player that Troy Deeney believes is better than Mohamed Salah.
A far cry from the days when Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and the Egypt international were Jurgen Klopp’s unconteste frontline, Liverpool’s attacking department is now rather uncertain, with questions about Luis Diaz’s future.
Liverpool may have made a significant bid for a Brazilian forward, according to Spanish media.
Liverpool make an offer to Rodrygo.
According to SPORT, Liverpool have made an offer of €100 million (£84 million) to buy Real Madrid No. 11 Rodrygo.
The Spanish news agency believes Real Madrid is willing to sell the Brazil international for €150 million (£127 million) – despite the additions of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick – but has rejected Liverpool’s offer.
SPORT feel Rodrygo would prefer to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, if it becomes clear that Mbappe and Endrick would take away minutes from him, the South American will want a transfer to the Premier League from Real Madrid.
Rodrygo impressed in the 2023/24 season, helping Real Madrid win La Liga and the UEFA Champions League for the 15th time, scoring 17 goals and giving nine assists in 51 games across all competitions.
As previously said, Deeney believes the 23-year-old is better than Salah.
Reds appear to be enamoured with the Brazilian.
Of course, managers and recruiting staff come and go, and transfer targets change all the time, but Liverpool appears to have been attempting to sign Rodrygo since at least 2019.
Elano, who was previously at Manchester City and Interim Manager of Rodrygo’s former club Santos at the time of his rise, told ESPN that Liverpool expressed “strong interest” in the attacker while he was still a member of the Brazilian side’s development ranks.
The 42-year-old stated that Liverpool was really interested in the child while he was in the lower categories (at Santos) and wanted to buy him, but the offer was too cheap. Then came the offer from Madrid.”
Liverpool have clearly adored Rodrygo for many years, and that admiration does not appear to have waned despite suspicions of this £84 million deal.
