Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a January transfer move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Odilon Kossounou as Jurgen Klopp seeks to bolster his defensive arsenal, as per The Sun.
This pursuit comes on the heels of a botched summer transfer to West Ham for Kossounou.
Klopp’s interest in acquiring a new center-back stems from ongoing injury concerns surrounding Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez, and Joel Matip, coupled with the departure of academy products Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams on loan.
Emerging talent Jarell Quansah has been promoted to the first team and featured in pre-season games.
Despite Quansah’s promising debut and contributions, Klopp remains determined to secure another established center-back to add competition to the defensive lineup, which currently includes the one-match banned Virgil van Dijk.
Kossounou: Standout Target of Liverpool
Several defenders have been linked to Liverpool, but Kossounou stands out as a potential target, lauded as one of the Bundesliga’s most promising young defenders.
Last season, the Ivory Coast international impressed with 35 appearances and one assist, guiding Leverkusen to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals.
Kossounou’s Season Impact
In the current season, Kossounou has continued to shine, featuring in all four of Leverkusen’s games as they top the Bundesliga table with nine points and just three goals conceded.
Transfermarkt values the 22-year-old at £15 million, though Liverpool may need to offer more given his three-year contract.
Liverpool’s Defensive Pursuit
Liverpool’s interest in Kossounou is not surprising given his failed summer move to West Ham. The Reds, one of the world’s biggest clubs, would provide an appealing platform for his talents.
The need for defensive reinforcements at Liverpool is evident, with Gomez and Matip’s performances under scrutiny, and only Konate and Van Dijk offering reliability in defense.
To fortify the squad, Liverpool should not only focus on acquiring a quality central defender but also a versatile full-back.
Reinforcements and Prospects – Kossounou to Liverpool
This would provide cover and competition for Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Additionally, contingency plans should be in place for potential departures, such as Matip. Kossounou possesses the attributes to thrive in English football, making him an attractive prospect for Liverpool.
As the transfer window approaches, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool can secure his services, or if West Ham might rekindle their interest in the talented Ivorian defender.
Liverpool’s pursuit of Kossounou underscores their commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in the Premier League and beyond.
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