Liverpool find Van Dijk replacement despite disastrous last stint in England

Steve Pearson 15 Oct 2024 7:58 AM

Virgl van Dijk could be replaced at Liverpool by Sevilla defender Loic Bade

Virgl van Dijk could be replaced at Liverpool by Loic Bade

Liverpool have identified a centre-back they believe is capable of taking the mantle from Virgil van Dijk at the heart of their defence despite the player’s dismal last stint in the Premier League, according to a report.

Van Dijk, 33, is in the final year of his contract, though despite his advancing age he remains one of world football’s finest centre-halves. Liverpool do intend to tie Van Dijk down to a new contract, with TEAMtalk learning the Dutch captain will become the focus once a new deal for centre-back partner Ibrahima Konate has been ironed out first.

But according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Liverpool have identified Sevilla ace Loic Bade as a player capable of succeeding Van Dijk when the time comes.

The Reds are monitoring the 24-year-old Frenchman who stands at 6ft 3in tall. Per the report, Bade is ‘in the running’ to join Liverpool.

Sevilla paid roughly €12m to sign Bade from Rennes in the summer of 2023. The defender has thrived in Spain since turning his initial loan spell permanent and per the report, is now valued in excess of €20m.

Bade was previously on the books of Nottingham F0rest during a loan spell in the first half of the 2022/23 campaign. However, Bade did not make a single appearance for the Premier League outfit and regularly failed to make their matchday squads.

Nonetheless, MD are adamant Liverpool have seen enough from Bade since then to warrant genuine interest in signing the player as Van Dijk’s heir.

Richard Hughes on the case

Prior reports in Spain claimed Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, has shown ‘persistent interest’ in signing Bade since taking the reins at Anfield.

It was also claimed Bade’s current contract at Sevilla contains a hefty €60m release clause and his club are unwilling to sanction a sale for below that fee. That is a huge jump from the €20m figure Mundo Deportivo now cite.

AS later stated Bade had offers to join Stuttgart or Roma over the summer, though elected to remain with Sevilla. PSG and Bayern Munich have also been credited with interest, while the report stated Sevilla would sell for ‘considerably less’ than the €60m release fee.

AS also stated that Liverpool acknowledge Bade is not on Van Dijk’s level just yet. As such, it’s conceivable Liverpool sign Bade while also tying Van Dijk down to a new deal too.

That would see the Reds forge a succession plan as they recently did in the goalkeeping department with Giorgi Mamardashvili who is in line to replace Alisson Becker when the time is right.

Latest Liverpool news

In other news, Liverpool are showing increasing interest in former Manchester United left-back, Alvaro Fernandez Carreras.

The 21-year-old joined Benfica in a deal worth just €6m over the summer, though is now worth much more.

Elsewhere, Bayern Munich will NOT sign Alisson next summer. The German giant had been linked with signing Alisson to replace the ageing Manuel Neuer.

Per Sky Germany, Bayern’s goalkeeping plan is to give Neuer a one-year extension before Alexander Nubel – already on Bayern’s books – takes his place in 2026.

Finally, Paul Gascoigne has bizarrely claimed Mohamed Salah is “off the boil” this season. Gascoigne went on to state Salah’s contract situation – his deal expires next summer – has resulted in Salah failing to give 100 percent for new boss Arne Slot.

IN FOCUS – Loic Bade career timeline

January 2020 – After coming through the academy at Le Havre, Bade makes his senior debut at the age of 19 in a Ligue 2 win against Niort.
June 2020 – The centre-back makes the step up to Ligue 1 and joins Lens on a free transfer following the expiration of his Le Havre contract.
July 2021 – His impressive performances in the 2020/21 season attract interest from a number of clubs but Rennes win the race for his signature after paying a €17million fee.
November 2021 – Bade scores his first senior goal as Rennes beat Mura 1-0 in the group stages of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
September 2022 – He joins Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan deal but fails to make a single first-team appearance for the Premier League side.
January 2023 – His loan deal at Forest is terminated and he joins Sevilla on an initial six-month loan deal, which includes a €12million option to buy.
April 2023 – He scores in back-to-back games, netting in a 2-0 win over Valencia in La Liga before helping Sevilla complete a 3-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League quarter-final.
May 2023 – The defender plays the full 120 minutes against Roma in the Europa League final as Sevilla beat the Serie A side on penalties. Sevilla then trigger the option to make his move permanent.
August 2024 – Balde plays for France Under-23s at the Paris Olympics and helps them reach the final, although they lose 5-3 against Spain after extra-time.
September 2024 – The 24-year-old receives his first call-up to the senior France side, but he has to wait for his debut after picking up an injury.