Reports: Liverpool will have to pay a record-breaking fee for “Exceptional” defender

Liverpool are looking to sign Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol. And they will have to pay a record-breaking fee to sign him.

Liverpool are keen to get Josko Gvardiol this summer. But they might have to shell out a record figure to do so.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, this is the case. Today, Romano provided an update on the RB Leipzig centre-back’s future while speaking on his YouTube channel.

He said:

“Keep an eye on defensive players – keep an eye also on Josko Gvardiol because many top clubs are monitoring him.

Chelsea wanted him last summer. Also Manchester City and Liverpool are monitoring the player. There’s a lot of interest, but nothing will be decided in February, March – it will take time.”

Romano said that any team interested in signing the 22-year-old will have to pony up more cash than Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019—£80 million.

He continued:

“We know that Leipzig want to make Gvardiol the most expensive centre-back ever. This is a crucial point in the story. Many clubs are keeping an eye on him.

Liverpool have also sent their scouts to follow the player multiple times in the last months. So, keep an eye on this situation.”

Is Josko Gvardiol the solution to Liverpool’s defensive problems?

If Real Madrid’s thrashing last night taught us anything, it’s that Liverpool’s defence needs to be improved.

The defence had been getting away with a bit because of how much attention was being paid to their midfield problems. But, Van Dijk and Konate’s recent injuries have exposed the issues.

In contrast to Van Dijk, who no longer appears to be the all-around great player he once did, Konate has started to become a bit too prone to injuries. Matip and Joe Gomez appear to have gone too far backwards.

Jurgen Klopp must therefore make finding a new centre-back a top priority right now. There are many excellent candidates for the position. But Gvardiol would seem to be the critics’ favourite.

The Croatian international is now highly sought-after following a stellar World Cup in which Paul Merson called him “exceptional.” And as luck would have it, he admits to being a Liverpool supporter. In any discussions, this ought to offer the Reds a slight advantage.

But, the cost will be a hindrance. Obviously. Liverpool’s ability to sign Gvardiol and Jude Bellingham during the same transfer window appears unattainable. Maybe things would be different if Bellingham could handle the problems in the midfield on his own. But he can’t because Klopp still needs to add two players to the centre of the pitch.

With all that, try fitting in a centre-back worth more than £80 million. Liverpool have given themselves far too much work to do.