Who is Sam Beukema? Liverpool targets $33M center-back transfer this summer
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesTransfersLiverpool is expected to be in the market for a new center-back this summer, and Napoli defender Sam Beukema is the latest player to be linked with a move to AnfieldNapoli center-back Sam Beukema is being linked with Liverpool(Image: 2026 Ivan Romano)Liverpool has reportedly made an offer to sign Sam Beukema from Napoli ahead of the summer transfer window.Aged 27, Beukema has played over 30 times for Napoli this season, and AreaNapoli reports that Liverpool – which has also recently been linked with a bid to sign Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke – has proposed signing Beukema for a fee of €28 million ($33 million).Beukema started his career at Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands in 2017, before joining AZ Alkmaar in 2021. The center-back joined Bologna in 2023, before moving on again last summer, making the switch to Napoli.READ MORE: What Liverpool and Man Utd must do to secure Champions League qualificationREAD MORE: Manchester United predicted starting XI vs Liverpool amid injury doubtBeukema is yet to make his international debut for the Netherlands, but stated that it was one of his ambitions upon moving to Napoli last summer."Playing for the national team is one of my personal goals, and it is also one of the reasons why I came to Napoli," Beukema said."A big club, the Champions League, competing for the title.
That is both a goal and a dream."Ibrahima Konate's future remains up in the air(Image: Getty Images)In the same interview, Beukema named Liverpool captain and compatriot Virgil van Dijk as one of his role models. Beukema said: "Yes, one of the best defenders at the moment is also Dutch: Virgil van Dijk.
He is very strong and modern – a true example."Beukema also gave an insight into how he likes to play, saying that he "loves love defending high up the pitch and pressing," while also talking up his ability to play with intensity and defend one-on-one situations.Liverpool is in the midst of a defensive overhaul, with Ibrahima Konate out of contract at the end of the season, and it is still unclear whether the Frenchman will sign a new deal at Anfield.Jarell Quansah was also sold last summer, while Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk are both approaching the final 12 months of their deals.After last month's Merseyside derby, Konate hinted that he was close to renewing his contract at Liverpool. This is what I always wanted."I’m waiting to sort the contract but when everything is sorted you will have to ask Richard [Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director] what I said to him in September, November and he’s going to say something to make everyone quiet.”The Guardian then reported over the following couple of days that Konate had informed Liverpool last year that he wanted to stay at the club.Liverpool signed Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet during the last two transfer windows, with the club taking steps to prepare the squad for the long term in that area of the field.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCTransfers