Liverpool snub free agent as he nears Serie A move to Udinese
Liverpool have reportedly decided not to move forward with signing free agent Oumar Solet, who is now set to join Series A side Udinese in January.
The 24-year-old French defender, who recently parted ways with Red Bull Salzburg after his contract expired, had been linked with a potential switch to Anfield as a replacement for Joel Matip.
Matip left Liverpool at the end of last season after a distinguished seven-year spell with the club. Matip saw his final campaigns marred by injuries.
The towering centre-back played a pivotal role during Jurgen Klopp’s successful reign, contributing to the Reds’ Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup victories.
His departure sparked rumors that Liverpool would be in the market for a new defender, with Solet emerging as a potential option. Solet enjoyed a fruitful time at Red Bull Salzburg. There he helped the Austrian side win back-to-back league and cup doubles.
The center-back’s performances caught the attention of several European clubs, including Liverpool. Further, Liverpool were reportedly considering him as an addition to their defensive line-up.
Liverpool snub Solet
However, according to recent reports, the Reds have now opted against pursuing Solet. Instead, Udinese have swooped in and reached an agreement to sign the Frenchman in the upcoming transfer window.
The Series A club is finalizing the final details of the deal. And the move is expected to be completed soon. Liverpool’s decision not to sign Solet might come as a surprise to some fans, especially given the ongoing fitness issues within the squad.
Saturday’s match against Wolves highlighted some of the defensive concerns. As Ibrahima Konate, who scored the opening goal, made a crucial mistake that allowed Wolves to equalise.
Speaking after the game, Liverpool boss Arne Slot acknowledged the costly error, saying,
“It came at a bad time because we had total control over the game. By conceding this way, they came back into the game and the good thing for us, is we immediately scored to make it 2-1. With only one goal making the difference, it makes it a difficult game until the end.”
Despite the defensive lapse, Liverpool managed to secure a 2-1 victory. But the match underscored the need for reinforcement in the backline. For now, though, Solet won’t be part of the solution, as he heads to Italy for the next chapter of his career.
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