Liverpool have been urged to think about signing Manchester United defender Harry Maguire on a free transfer next summer by former Reds midfielder Didi Hamann.
Liverpool are expected to bolster their defensive options at the tip of the season, especially with Ibrahimi Konate’s contract set to run out in the summertime.
The Reds looked set to usher in Marc Guehi last summer, but saw that deal scuppered on deadline day before the Crystal Palace captain joined Manchester City earlier this month.
Even when Konate signs a brand new deal, Liverpool will certainly dip into the market to offer more defensive cover for Arne Slot, who’s woefully in need of options at present after injuries to Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez.
And former Reds midfielder Hamann reckons the club could be sensible to think about a budget-friendly move for Maguire, who’s currently set to depart United when his contract expires this summer.
Maguire has impressed over the past fortnight, having returned to the fold under interim head coach Michael Carrick, and Hamann reckons the Englishman could provide some much-needed depth for United’s arch-rivals.
‘You’ve got to present it to Harry Maguire because he got a lot stick in the previous couple of years and he at all times comes back,’ Hamann told CasinoBeats.
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‘If he’s available on a free then obviously need to give it some thought because I believe what Liverpool need is more depth on the back.’
Asked about Maguire’s contract situation before last weekend’s win over Arsenal, Carrick said: ‘I believe it’s just coming into that point of the season really, with contracts and, obviously, January is January and the window, so I’m type of working my way through that and coming towards the tip of the season, when it comes to contracts and decisions.
‘That may obviously be taken and discussed in good time really, and at the proper time.’
Elsewhere, Hamann namechecked Mickey van de Ven and Nico Schlotterbeck as two other centre-backs Liverpool should goal to partner Virgil van Dijk next season.
‘Mickey van de Ven is doing rather well for Spurs and there’s a player at Dortmund, Nico Schlotterbeck,’ he added.
‘He’s in talks with the club on whether he’s going to increase his contract.
‘Schlotterbeck has really taken on a number one role at Dortmund within the last 18 months. He might be our greatest centre-back within the national team. He’ll actually play on the World Cup for Germany.
‘He’d be a player. He’s got one yr left on the contract. I’m sure that Liverpool inquired about him. He wouldn’t be the worst selection. He’s a left-footed player as well.’
Reports have already suggested that Liverpool are ‘developing a keen interest’ in Van de Ven, who has been one in all few brilliant sparks for Tottenham under Thomas Frank this season.
However the north London club are said to be holding out for a record £100million fee for the Dutch defender, who’s under contract at Spurs until 2029.
Asked about interest in Van de Ven last week, Frank said: ‘He’s definitely a player we should always prioritise. Micky is a key player for this team and this club and hopefully for a few years to come back.
‘He has what it takes to be a good higher player and I’ve little doubt he might help us to get us to where we would like to be in the long run.’
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