‘Know very well’: Romano confirms Mo Simakan is in Liverpool's sights

Liverpool have a new defender in their sights, says Fabrizio Romano. The Reds could move to replace Joel Matip.

Fabrizio Romano responded to speculation this week that Liverpool could move for Mo Simakan. Simakan is a defender for RB Leipzig who put in some impressive performances last season.

The Frenchman, 24, can play at both centre-back and right-back. He’s started exactly 100 games across Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga through his career so far, making him both experienced and young enough to kick-on further.

Romano says Liverpool are impressed and that Simakan is a player they’ve followed for a while now.

“It is a rumour we have today from Germany. What I can tell you is that Liverpool – people in charge, people in the board at Liverpool – have been tracking and know Mo Simakan very well,” he said on his YouTube channel.

“They have been following the player and believe he is a very talented defender.

“At the moment, there are no concrete negotiations between the agents of Simakan and Liverpool or Liverpool and Leipzig, so this is the situation. But I can confirm this is one of many centre-backs they have been tracking.”

Liverpool like Mo Simikan

‘One of many’ is arguably the key thing here. Liverpool are in need of a centre-back after Joel Matip’s exit and Virgil van Dijk admitting he needs to reassess his future.

Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll sign one this summer - but it’s something on the agenda, certainly. Simakan would be a solid option, given he’s versatile and solid on the ball.

There’s no suggestion of a price here, though, and we can’t imagine Leipzig would let him go easily. Liverpool, then, need to decide just how important a defender is this summer and whether they’re willing to front a lot of cash to get one.

If they decide they can, then perhaps Simakan will be near the top of their shortlist.