Who is Mohamed Simakan? Liverpool 'interested' in $49m transfer for RB Leipzig man

Liverpool has been credited with a transfer interest in Mohamed Simakan . It comes amid claims that the defense is now a priority area for Arne Slot this summer.

Simakan, 24, plays for RB Leipzig. Michael Edwards, who has returned to the FSG fold, is known to admire the Red Bull network, and Liverpool has previously signed Dominik Szoboszlai , Naby Keita and Ibrahima Konate from the German club.

Sky Germany suggests that Atletico Madrid is also interested in a transfer for Simakan. It's thought that a deal would cost somewhere between $44m (£34m/€40m) and $49m (£38m/€45m).

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RB Leipzig, for its part, is said to be planning for the new season with Simakan in mind. Nor is the player unhappy.

However, he can "imagine" a transfer — whether that's to Liverpool, Atletico Madrid or either club is unclear. As yet, there have been no offers or concrete negotiations.

But as a new name on the Liverpool transfer rumor mill, Simakan might not be immediately familiar to some supporters. So who exactly is this apparent fresh target?

Simakan, a French U21 international, had a nomadic youth career in France before settling down at Strasbourg. It was there that he emerged into senior football, and two seasons in Ligue 1 was enough to convince RB Leipzig to make a move.

Comfortable playing as the left-sided or right-sided central defender, Simakan has also spent some time at right-back. He's also had brief dalliances with a defensive midfield and right midfield role.

He played 42 times in all competitions last season, with 26 appearances coming as a center-back. He made 32 appearances in the Bundesliga, starting 23 of them.

In total, Simakan registered three goals and four assists. That's per Transfermarkt .

Liverpool.com says: It looks like a fairly steep price to pay for Simakan, who is yet to earn a cap for France. But that is a notoriously competitive squad to break into, and the versatile defender has been impressive in the Bundesliga.

It wouldn't be a get-off-your-seats transfer to truly kickstart the Slot era, but it could well be a shrewd piece of business, especially if Liverpool can negotiate on the terms. The likes of Konate and Jarell Quansah offer huge hope for the future of the Reds defense, but a bit of flexible cover initially content with some kind of squad role would be very much welcome, especially with some of the existing options known to be injury-prone.

At 24, Simakan would also be one for the future, with his best years ahead of him. This is one to keep an eye on.