Liverpool set to move for 6ft 4in wonderkid thought to be ‘the next Virgil Van Dijk’: report
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp salutes the fans after the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg one match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Anfield on February 21, 2023 in Liverpool, England.
Liverpool are looking at an 19-year-old successor to Virgil van Dijk this summer.
The Reds’ defence has been a worry this season, with 38 Premier League goals conceded and nine losses. Goalkeeper Alisson has enjoyed phenomenal form to keep Liverpool in the hunt for European football, with the back four coming under fire.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip have all taken their share of the blame – with linchpin Van Dijk criticised, too. The previously unimpeachable 31-year-old has started to look his age, according to some, with fans and pundits wondering if another centre-back will be brought in this summer.
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on October 09, 2022 in London, England.
Now, Calciomercato in Italy claims that the Reds are exploring a move for Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta.
The report claims that though there is interest from the likes of Juventus and Inter Milan, Liverpool could blow rivals out of the water with financial might, adding that Scalvini is the “most promising defender in Italian football”.
Though Scalvini won’t be cheap to snare at around €40 million, he would be considerably cheaper than some of the options on the market. Antonio Silva of Benfica and Josko Gvardiol of RB Leipzig are both thought to be worth double.
Last year, the Express identified Scalvini as being a potential successor to Van Dijk – and given that the teenager is 6ft 4in with a strong build, he could well grow into the kind of physically imposing leader that the Dutchman has been in the Premier League.
Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta BC battles for possession with Davide Frattesi and Luca D’Andrea of US Sassuolo during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Sassuolo at Gewiss Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Bergamo, Italy.
Able to step into a defensive midfield role, FourFourTwo named Scalvini as 25th in the 2023 list of the best teenagers in world football, noting, “his outstretched lunges from the back look almost choreographed.”
The defender is valued at around €30m by Transfermarkt.
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Liverpool’s failed pursuit of Jude Bellingham has led to discussion over who is to blame, with This Is Anfield writing that the fault lies with both Jurgen Klopp and ownership FSG for FourFourTwo.
The Reds are looking at a number of possible alternatives, including Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich, Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella, Brighton midfielder Moises Caidedo and Chelsea fringe midfielder Conor Gallagher. Ex-Red Jose Enrique has questioned whether the Merseysiders even needed Bellingham, anyway.
Meanwhile, there could be significant outgoings from Anfield this summer. Mohamed Salah has apparently enquired about a move to Spain, Jurgen Klopp is a target for Real Madrid if Carlo Ancelotti departs and Roberto Firmino has reportedly agreed a deal with Los Blancos when his Liverpool contract expires.
