22-year-old Italy international leaps to the top of Liverpool wishlist | OneFootball

Liverpool have had significant trouble replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The ex-Red left the club in 2025 for Real Madrid - with a new contract forthcoming for Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong coming in from Bayer Leverkusen.

Injuries to both - as well as question marks over Frimpong’s form - led to midfielders being tested in that position last season.

This term the club signed Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona - with an option in his contract for a £47m permanent deal.

Liverpool need a long-term right-back

The Uruguayan stopper has made a good start to life on Merseyside but there’s no question that Liverpool require a better solution in the long term.

Now it’s being claimed in Caught Offside that Michael Kayode has jumped to the top of the Liverpool recruitment team's wishlist.

The Italian, 22, has enjoyed a stellar rise since joining Brentford from Fiorentina back in 2025. A long throw specialist, the ex-Juventus youth has recently made the breakthrough to the national team for good measure.

Michael Kayode: Top of Liverpool wishlist

Last week he scored in a 4-1 UEFA Nations League victory over Turkiye - and is now attracting attention from several top clubs around the continent.

The Bees have secured their right-back to a new contract - tying him down to the Gtech Community Stadium until 2032 - meaning any deal will be upwards of around £60m according to the report.

Liverpool will have to pay attention to Juventus - as well as top Premier League clubs - in the chase for Kayode.

Liverpool tipped to make a bid for Kayode

But we could see a move made for the defender as soon as January.

“Liverpool have placed Kayode at the “top of their watchlist” as they look to strengthen right‑back rotation,” the report reads.

“Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle United are also monitoring him to add athleticism to their defensive lines.

“Meanwhile, Juventus and other Serie A clubs are tracking his progress closely, given his youth background at Juventus and Fiorentina, and hope to bring him back to Italy.

“At present, no official bid has been submitted to Brentford, and no direct negotiations have begun. The process remains in the “monitoring and reporting” stage ahead of the winter window.”