Liverpool work needed to hold off Juventus transfer interest in highly-rated defender: report

Liverpool are weighing up their transfer options when it comes to RB Leipzig defender Mo Simakan, according to reports coming out of Germany - but there would be quite some work for them to do to get a deal done before the transfer deadline next Friday.

Leipzig-based journalist Philipp Hinze writes that Simakan is ‘on Liverpool’s list’, with Juventus also keeping an eye on the defender’s situation.

Capable of playing it either right-back or centre-back, Simikan’s FBRef profile credits him with impressive stats at both ends of the field – although his dual role means that comparing him either with other centre-backs or other full-backs on statistics alone can create a misleading impression.

VIDEO Why Arsenal Want Mikel Merino So Badly

Liverpool looking at Mo Simikan but yet to make formal approach to RB Leipzig as Juventus watch on

Simikan has been at RB Leipzig for the past three years after making the move from Strasbourg as a 21-year-old, and has played and increasingly important role for the ambitious German club.

Hinze adds that the former French youth international is by no means desperate to leave Leipzig, but that he would keep an open mind about any potential moves that might come his way.

A big-name club like Liverpool or Juventus would of course be attractive to most players in his situation…though not all, as the Reds found out with Martin Zubimendi earlier this summer.

With no official approach yet made for Simakan’s services, the suggestion is that the defender is just one name on Liverpool’s longlist as they continue to hunt for their first new arrival of the summer.

New manager Arne Slot is still yet to greet any new signings through the door at Kirkby, with the transfer window set to close at 11pm next Friday, August 30.

Liverpool ran out two-goal winners away to newly-promoted Ipswich Town in their Premier League opener last weekend and will host Brentford on Sunday afternoon.

More Liverpool stories

Liverpool offered chance to pounce on collapsed £35m Chelsea deal: report

Liverpool on verge of first Arne Slot signing after 'reluctant' agreement: report

Liverpool in 'concrete' approach for Virgil van Dijk successor: report