Liverpool tipped to hijack 'priority' Chelsea transfer as Andoni Iraola seeks reinforcements

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Liverpool continues to follow potential targets in the summer transfer market, with suggestions that the club could hijack an option wanted by Xabi Alonso and Chelsea.Liverpool could hijack Xabi Alonso and Chelsea's transfer interest this summer(Image: (Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images))Liverpool has been tipped as a potential destination for a Premier League star this summer, in what would be a potential hijack of a deal Chelsea and Xabi Alonso want to complete.It comes as both teams are stepping up their interest in targets in the market, with the end of the World Cup signaling a chance for players to focus on any potential transfer that could now follow in their club careers.The Reds have sealed two deals so far, while the Blues have been slightly more active in recent days in particular, reaching a verbal agreement to sign Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers for a fee well over the $150 million mark. It's quite the statement of intent from Chelsea to back Alonso, who at one time or another was viewed as a potential candidate to take over at Anfield if the Liverpool head coach job was available.After sealing Rogers, attention is set to shift toward defenders, with reports claiming that Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix is a "priority" target.While that seems to be the case, Caught Offside claims that other teams are showing interest in a potential deal, with Liverpool among those tipped for a potential hijack.The report states: "Chelsea have made Lacroix their priority and efforts are still ongoing to get a deal done.

Palace won’t make it easy, though, and their initial asking price of €55m has risen now quite substantially.“Palace are aware of other clubs circling. Arsenal have been monitoring his situation and they’re now stepping up their interest in a new centre-back following William Saliba’s injury.

Look out for Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City as well.”Chelsea remain interested in Maxence Lacroix(Image: Nicolò Campo - LightRocket)While a move could now cost in the region of $80 million for teams, as Lacroix enters the final three years of his contract at Selhurst Park, the interest is clearly there for a star who has performed regularly in the Premier League.The question remains whether a hijack of Chelsea's deal would be sensible for Liverpool, even though the defense remains an area of concern moving forward.With Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez moving into the final year of their contracts at Anfield, there are naturally some long-term concerns about the centre-back ranks.Both Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni cover off the future to some degree, given their age profiles and contract lengths, but it remains to be seen whether they are ready to consistently perform at the highest level.While Lacroix could cover off some of those concerns on the right-side of defense, there are no guarantee of minutes this season with Van Dijk still available and the priorities elsewhere in the market.It means Liverpool could look more at a versatile right-sided option, one who can play at right-back and centre-back to cover off the issues there, similar in style to Gomez.It remains to be seen whether that will be the case, but for now, it seems as though the Reds will be shoring up the team elsewhere first.