Liverpool transfers: Feyenoord defender David Hancko BACKED for Slot reunion

Liverpool could well be in the market for a new defender this summer, having lost Joel Matip on a free transfer and with reports that Joe Gomez would consider an Anfield exit. 

There are also question marks over the long-term fitness of Ibrahima Konate, with 21-year-old Jarell Quansah perhaps getting more first-team football last season than he originally might have expected. 

The Reds were linked with moves for Tosin Adarabioyo and Lloyd Kelly, out of contract at Fulham and Bournemouth respectively, but the pair look set to move to Newcastle instead. 

Bayer Leverkusen Bundesliga winner Odilon Kossounou, meanwhile, has also been mooted as a potential arrival, while there is also long-standing interest in the Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio. 

Another intriguing option for Liverpool could lie back at Feyenoord, the club Arne Slot just left in order to take up his role as head coach at Liverpool. 

David Hancko has been among the best defenders in the Eredivisie since his arrival from Sparta Prague in 2022, winning the league title under Slot in 2023 and the KNVB Beker (Dutch cup) this season. 

The 26-year-old, who can also feature at left-back, fits the profile of a Liverpool signing and would be a more cost-effective recruit than the likes of Inacio, who’s got a €60 million release clause. 

However, if he is to leave Feyenoord this summer, Hancko will now cost the Reds more than he previously would have after signing a new deal with the Dutch club in February, extending his stay at De Kuip until 2028. 

Liverpool will also have to fend off interest from French champions Paris Saint-Germain, who already have Hancko's Slovakian centre-back partner Milan Skriniar in their squad.

Liverpool contact confirmed

Contact with Liverpool and PSG was confirmed earlier this year, with agent Branislav Jasurek declaring:  “As an agency, we are in contact not only with these two clubs, but also with others who are looking into David’s situation.”

And now a prominent football voice in the Netherlands has ENDORSED Hancko for a Merseyside switch.

Dutch publication De Telegraaf recently published its Eredivisie players of the year list with judges voting Hancko into the top three. 

Top of the list came PSV striker Luuk De Jong and in second place was teammate Joey Veerman. 

Explaining his decision to place Hancko among his nominees, Feyenoord’s European Cup winner Rinus Israel said: “Not just because of his defending. Hancko has a good play-in pass, often dares to go forward and has an excellent header. He is the complete defender.”

That prompted former Ajax defender Peter Boeve to reply: “He can easily go to England with Slot.”

It remains to be seen what happens with Liverpool’s defensive overhaul this summer but in Hancko, Slot might be getting at least one familiar face he knows he can rely on.