Liverpool transfers: £40m defender could answer Reds' problems

Liverpool may find it in their best interests to enter a £40m race in the transfer window. Other Premier League clubs will be involved.

Liverpool have an interesting transfer window coming up as several questions need answering. First and foremost, of course, is who the manager is going to be.

But there are also question marks hanging over Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold. All three have 14 months to run on their contracts.

Then there's what to do at centre-back. Joel Matip's contract expires at the end of this season and even if he does renew it, his time as a first-choice centre-back is almost certainly over. He's 32, coming off a serious injury, and the Reds will want to start thinking long-term.

It makes centre-back a priority position this summer and that's why Liverpool need to think about getting involved in the race for Jean-Clair Todibo.

Liverpool and Jean-Clair Todibo

Fabrizio Romano delivered an update on Todibo on Thursday. He explained that OGC Nice could sell their star defender this summer, with several clubs lining up to get him.

The only one mentioned is Manchester United, with 'other Premier League clubs' supposedly monitoring him. It's unknown if Liverpool are one of those - but they probably should be.

"Understand Jean-Clair Todibo will be valued by OGC Nice around £40m for the summer transfer window," Romano wrote. "He was already on Man United list since last summer but more clubs in PL and not only keep monitoring him.

"French international and Nice vice captain could be on the move."

Liverpool were actually linked with Todibo quite strongly at one point - but back when he was with Toulouse in 2018. The Frenchman has been on quite the journey since then - a move to Barcelona didn't work out, sending him on loans to Germany and Portugal.

Todibo's reputation is solid now, though, and the 24-year-old has established himself as one of the best defenders in Ligue 1. On top of that, his skillset - particularly with the ball - is one that all elite clubs crave right now. Nice's star defender is amongst the best in Europe at passing and carrying the ball, while he's consistently strong against dribblers.

So as Liverpool reassess their centre-back options this summer, Todibo for £40m could end up looking like a steal. A race they should definitely consider getting involved in.