Liverpool must pay £25m for centre-back they could have had for FREE

Liverpool are facing uncertainty at centre-back. Virgil van Dijk is out of contract in summer 2025 and so far no agreement has been reached over a new deal.

Ibrahima Konate, meanwhile, has been mentioned as a potential Real Madrid target and his contract is running out in 2026. If no new terms are agreed then Liverpool could be forced into a decision on the Frenchman sooner rather than later.

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Reserves Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez may well be sold this summer, meaning Liverpool could be chasing not only one but multiple central defenders.

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Among the candidates mentioned have been Nico Schlotterbeck and Jorrel Hato, who could come into the club to replace Van Dijk, 33. And another intriguing name has been added to the mix in the shape of a familiar Liverpool target.

Oumar Solet BACK on Liverpool radar

Oumar Solet was first mentioned as a potential Liverpool signing when he was playing for Red Bull Salzburg as long ago as 2023.

Although the Frenchman stayed put through last summer's transfer window, he ended up terminating his Salzburg contract by mutual consent last September.

He had spent four years at the Austrian Bundesliga club, winning three league titles, and earning a place on the shortlist of several top European clubs.

The 25-year-old signed a contract with Serie A side Udinese which became active in January and has gone on to establish himself as one of the top defenders in the Italian league in 2025.

He has played all but one match for the Friuliani, owing to a one-game suspension, and scored a sensational goal in last weekend’s defeat to Inter at San Siro.

Liverpool reportedly had concerns over Solet’s injury record during his time at Salzburg, which was put forward as a reason for declining his signing.

But he’s stayed fit so far for his new side and is expected to fetch them a fortune in the summer transfer window.

Solet only signed a contract until summer 2027, meaning Udinese will be looking to cash in on him relatively quickly.

Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea want Solet

And now Sport Italia is reporting that Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea have all got Solet on their summer shortlist with the bidding due to start at €30 million (£25m).

“They are ready to enjoy the considerable fruits from both a sporting and economic point of view,” a report reads.

“The goal scored against Inter has turned the spotlight on his profile in Italy and not only in the Nerazzurri, but the competition is broadening substantially, so much so that it has added to the list of clubs that have tested the waters with the Friulians none other than Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.

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“It is a direct consequence that the starting price risks increasing compared to the optimistic one of 30 million identified in recent days.

“It is more realistic to think that an expensive shop and an enlightened club like the black and white one can start from much higher.”

'Solet is a player for Liverpool'

Meanwhile, Andrea Carnavale, Udinese’s chief scout, recently spoke to Radio Kiss Kiss, declaring Solet ready for a move to Liverpool.

“Solet is a good defender, Udinese should be praised, having signed a boy at zero is a great merit,” he said. “Gino Pozzo was very good at believing in him, it was his will to sign him.

“As head of scouting I have to congratulate the club. I like good-performing defenders, I don’t know where Solet will go, but he is a player for Liverpool, Inter and Napoli.

“I didn’t expect a player who was already so ready, he has a great personality.”

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Liverpool are reported to have Solet on their list for a long time and no doubt it would be a source of frustration to pay upwards of £25m for a player they could have had for free only a few short months ago.