Liverpool tried to bring Croatia international Domagoj Vida to the Premier League two years ago and the Besiktas ace is a target again it seems.
Liverpool have identified Domagoj Vida from Besiktas as a potential short-term addition to Jurgen Klopp’s defence, according to Yeni Asir.
The Reds may have built their recent success on a fleet of promising youngsters with superstar potential, from Mo Salah to Sadio Mane, Andy Roberson to Fabinho, but their charismatic coach is no stranger to adding a veteran name to his squad when the opportunity arises.
It was Klopp, after all, who brought a 30-year-old Ragnar Klavan to Merseyside in 2016. And, three years on, reports suggest that the three-time Champions League finalist could repeat the trick with another grizzled, battle-scarred international.
And Vida’s advancing years should not count against him.
31 he may be, but the Besiktas stopper is playing the best football of his career right now. An old-school centre-back who loves nothing more than throwing his body on the line (more Martin Skrtel than Joe Gomez, then), it should not be forgotten that Vida was one of the best players at the 2018 World Cup as Croatia reached the final.
While Liverpool might have been linked with far more high-profile defenders, such as Jose Maria Gimenez, Alessandro Bastoni and Dayot Upamecano, a cut-price deal for Vida might be a far more realistic option in an era of unprecedented financial uncertainty across the entire footballing world.
Speaking to Ajansspor two years ago, Vida’s agent, Ugur Avadan, claimed that Liverpool had made an offer for his client. Two years on, it seems this most left-field of signings is back in contention.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
