£40m for Van Dijk heir? Get it done Liverpool!

Liverpool will soon require new centre-backs amid continued uncertainty in the position. Firstly, Virgil van Dijk is out of contract at the end of the season and there has been no breakthrough announced as yet in negotiations over a new deal.

Regardless, the Dutchman will be 34 by the time next season kicks off and will need to be replaced in the coming years. Impressing beside him this season has been Ibrahima Konate, who is nonetheless attracting attention from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

Anfield Watch brought you the news that PSG were seeking to make an offer of the club captaincy to Konate in a bid to woo him back to the French capital.

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Elsewhere and the future of Joe Gomez could be decided this summer. Liverpool were close to offloading him in 2024 but he ultimately stayed at the club.

It is expected that sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Arne Slot will again listen to offers at the end of the season.

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Several central defenders have been linked in recent months - Nico Schlotterbeck being the latest name in the frame - and the Reds have also been associated with a move for an emerging South American talent.

Liverpool chasing Joel Ordonez

Joel Ordonez is a centre-back currently starring for Club Brugge in the Belgian top flight and the Champions League.

He has featured against the likes of Aston Villa, Manchester City and Juventus in Europe this season, helping his side to an appearance in the last 16.

The 20-year-old is a right-sided centre-back, who has been established in the Brugge first team for the past couple of seasons, winning the league title last year.

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He first moved to Belgium from Ecuadorian talent factory Independiente del Valle in 2022, quickly going on to make his debut for the Brugge first team. That's the same original club as Moises Caicedo and Piero Hincapie - two other Ecuadorians linked with Liverpool in the past.

Ordonez signed a contract renewal in summer 2023 and is tied to the Belgian giants until 2028. This season he has played 22 times in the Belgian top flight and has been an ever-present in Europe.

Clubs told to pay £40m for Ordonez

Liverpool were first linked with Ordonez back in the winter alongside Aston Villa and Newcastle and the asking price for the Ecuador international has now been revealed.

Football Insider is reporting that Everton have been told they will need to spend £40 million on Ordonez if they are to have a chance of signing him.

“Everton will need to stump up £40million in the summer transfer window to sign Club Brugge star Joel Ordonez,” a report reads.

With cash at a premium at the Toffees, there is little chance of them affording that fee. That could in turn open the door to other suitors, with Liverpool well placed to take advantage.

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