According to The Mirror, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp sees RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano as the perfect partner for Virgil van Dijk moving forward.
The Reds have been linked with a whole host of centre backs since Van Dijk went down with a major knee injury in October, but Klopp has allegedly been told there is no money for a signing this month.
Klopp does fancy Upamecano though, and sees him as a ‘natural partner’ for Van Dijk rather than a place to come in and replace him, so to speak.
Liverpool can’t afford Upamecano’s £38million release clause right now though, and that means they are vulnerable to being hijacked.
Manchester United want to sign Upamecano too, and they could be tempted to make a move this month, before Liverpool can move.
Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof have been taking turns alongside Harry Maguire of late, but United may want to land Upamecano as Maguire’s long-term partner.
The 23-year-old has starred with Leipzig, showing that he is quick, capable on the ball and a powerful force, even at 6ft 1in tall – not the tallest centre back.
Upamecano still has some developing to do, but Klopp seemingly thinks he can iron out those issues by playing alongside Van Dijk.
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