James Pearce has ruled out Liverpool signing Sven Botman this month, after speaking to people at the club.
Pearce was commenting on the Red Agenda Podcast, when he revealed that Liverpool insiders have played down all links with the Lille defender.
The £27 million defender (Foot Mercato) has been said to be on Jurgen Klopp’s radar recently, but it seems that a move is not going to happen any time soon.
“We can rule out Sven Botman,” Pearce said. “People I spoke to were adamant there was absolutely no interest. I don’t go along with the idea that it is a smokescreen.”
The journalist’s denial is the strongest update he has given on Botman so far.
Liverpool fans may have been hoping that they would be seeking alternative targets with Botman written off.
However, Pearce has suggested that any potential deals for Dayot Upamecano and Ozan Kabak are are also a long way off.
“Dayot Upamecano is of course someone on Liverpool’s radar but it is almost impossible to get him out of Leipzig this month,” he said.
“Kabak at Schalke has been looked at but it hasn’t gone any further than that.”
If Liverpool are to go the whole month without signing a central defender then it could be a risky strategy for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Liverpool have been forced into using the likes of Jordan Henderson at the back recently, such is the paucity of options in their current squad due to injuries, and it has caused them to look rather unsteady in defence.
Liverpool have dropped points fairly regularly recently, and Klopp’s men will be looking to tighten up at the back over the remainder of the season.
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