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Liverpool are monitoring the centre-back market very closely.The Reds may only be six Premier League games into the season, but they are already keeping one eye on the transfer market in case they need to make some desperate changes.One area where it is clear they need to strengthen so far is at centre-back, with 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni being ruled out for up to a year with an ACL injury.This leaves Liverpool with just three options in this position, hence why they are being linked with a few names, although Dayot Upamecano is one of the most common as of late.And links to the Bayern Munich defender have been confirmed as true, but they will face some pretty stiff competition for his signature. Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesLiverpool want Dayot Upamecano next summerThe priority always looked to be bringing Marc Guehi in the summer and that will probably be it in terms of defensive reinforcements, but sometimes market opportunities are too good to turn down.And it is clear that Liverpool think signing Upamecano might be just that, especially as they would be able to get “one of the most exciting centre-backs in the world” for free.With his fellow countryman Ibrahima Konate potentially departing as well, this leaves a spot free for him to join, with journalist Christian Falk giving Reds fans an update on just how serious their interest is.“It is true that Liverpool are looking at Dayot Upamecano.
I think it’s coming up to a year of talks!”Christian Falk exclusively told CF Bayern Insider.“And the time is running out, because next summer he’s a free agent, and it makes him so interesting for many, many clubs.READ MORE: Galatasaray manager suggests whether Victor Osimhen will play against Liverpool after fitness struggles“Liverpool, of course, have the same situation with Ibrahima Konate – he’s also going to be a free agent next summer. And yes, if Liverpool can get a player like Dayot Upamecano for free, that’s pretty good business.“That said, every top club in the world is looking at him; I heard that Real Madrid is very, very interested in him.
Also, the player is understood to be on the list at Manchester United and PSG.Liverpool need a centre-back in January Whether they want to get one or multiple centre-backs through the door at Anfield in the near future, it is obvious that they need at least someone in January.With Leoni’s injury, the Reds would have to play the entire season with just three options, something that is not sustainable given how many games they will have to play.As well as this, Konate and Joe Gomez are very injury-prone and cannot be relied upon consistently, while Virgil van Dijk is not getting any younger at 34.Players like Wataru Endo or Ryan Gravenberch could fill in to help out, but again that is something the reigning Premier League champions will not get away with if they are to retain their title. With that said, either Upamecano or Guehi would be very good options to bring in, and with both set to leave on a free, a January move might be welcomed by their employers to raise at least a little bit of cash.