Liverpool have been tipped to sign an experienced centre-back in the summer transfer window.
Richard Hughes has taken steps to shore up the position long into the future - through the signings of Giovanni Leoni, Jeremy Jacquet and Mor Talla Ndiaye.
But given their age and relative lack of top-flight action there would be a risk attached to throwing those three in at the deep end.
There are question marks in the short term against most - if not all - of Liverpool’s senior centre-back options and that makes it imperative to secure the position.
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are out of contract in 2027 and it would be no surprise to see the Premier League champions entertain bids for the 28-year-old Englishman this summer.
More alarmingly Ibrahima Konate still hasn’t signed his new deal - despite claiming a couple of weeks ago that it was all but done.
Accordingly the likes of Micky van de Ven and Goncalo Inacio have been linked with a transfer to Merseyside. But one long-term Arne Slot favourite is beginning to emerge on the radar.
Sam Beukema, 27, was wanted by Slot when he was head coach of Feyenoord and the defender was starring for Go Ahead Eagles.
Slot missed out on a deal for his compatriot - who has since carved out a career for himself in Serie A. Beukema was picked up by Bologna from AZ back in 2023 before moving to Napoli last summer.
It hasn’t been the move that the 2024/25 Coppa Italia winner had been hoping for however with the outgoing Serie A champions now willing to cash in.
According to a report in Area Napoli Beukema could be available for only €28m despite boasting a contract until 2030.
The player has been handpicked by Arne Slot to lead Liverpool’s defensive rebuild - and Antonio Conte won’t stand in his defender’s way.
“Priced around €31 million, he could leave for €28 million, heading to Liverpool, where manager Arne Slot is ready to welcome him,” the report reads.
“Antonio Conte would certainly not object: his sale, therefore, is absolutely possible.”
