Liverpool CANNOT let Andy Robertson successor join Arsenal

When Liverpool are looking at recruiting a new player, a lot of time and effort goes into the scouting process and very rarely do the Reds get beaten by a rival club.

As one of the world's biggest clubs, an approach from Liverpool can often be very difficult to ignore and so fans have an expectation that when the Reds are in for a player that the move is completed.

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Of course, there are a few exceptions, notably Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Martin Zubimendi, who all form a part of Liverpool's failure to sign a defensive midfielder over the years.

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However, Bellingham and Tchouameni both went to Real Madrid which is an understandable move, while Caicedo and Lavia were drawn in by Todd Boehly's chequebook, which has seen frequent use over the last few years.

Meanwhile, Zubimendi hasn't subbed the Reds for anyone but his boyhood club, deciding to remain at Real Sociedad for the time being - an admirable decision that fans will understand given the current Trent Alexander Arnold saga.

One of the current targets for a move is Ajax left-back Jorrel Hato, who would join the club's Dutch contingent, although negotiations might now be a little more complex than previously imagined.

Arsenal join Liverpool in hunt for Hato

Yes, you read that right. Arsenal are looking at bringing in another defender, as if Mikel Arteta's ultra-defensive setup wasn't already mind-numbingly frustrating enough.

Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Ricardo Califiori, Miles Lewis-Skelly, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney, all currently making up the Gunners' full-back supplies.

According to TeamTalk, the Reds will have a battle on their hands for Hato and the asking price has subsequently increased from €30m to €45-50m.

The Dutchman has already been seen in the Anfield crowd admiring Arne Slot's team and he is a good friend of Liverpool fan-favourite Ryan Gravenberch, but a move to North London has been put on the table for him to consider.

One of the big reasons why the Reds were interested in Hato is because he is a malleable player, capable of filling in at centre-back and left-back, which are two positions that Liverpool need assistance with.

Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas are no longer good enough as a pair to perform as the Reds' left-back options and Virgil Van Dijk might not be at the club next season if his contract isn't extended.

In addition, the team has been in need of an extra centre-back all season, as it has become clear that Ibrahima Konate is the only trusted partner for Van Dijk, because Jarrell Quansah's confidence has been shot to bits and Joe Gomez is rarely physically available anymore.

Liverpool have got other options that they are considering, including Nico Schlotterbeck from Borussia Dortmund and Alessandro Bastoni at Inter Milan, who are also multi-faceted players.

And Milos Kerkez and Rayan Ait-Nouri are the major players who have been identified as sole left-backs, who Liverpool could also make a move on, so the options are a plenty.

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However, the notion of Arsenal beating the Reds to a transfer will make fans physically ill and so the club's interest in signing Hato might just step up a bit now that other clubs have reported their interest in him.

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