Liverpool taking a ‘serious look’ at England World Cup star | OneFootball

Djed Spence in Focus as Liverpool Weigh Defensive Options and Bradley Barcola Interest Builds

Liverpool’s summer is moving into a more decisive phase, with the club heading to the United States for the next stage of pre-season and transfer scrutiny intensifying around several positions. Speaking on Anfield Index, Dave Davis set the tone clearly as attention shifted away from international football and back towards the market.

As Davis put it, “World Cup over, step it up. Players need to come through the door. Players need to come through the door pretty quickly.” With only “about six weeks or so of the transfer window left”, the urgency around incomings is becoming a central theme.

The discussion covered several names, but one in particular stood out as a live defensive option. According to Davis, “Djed Spence absolutely a player that Liverpool are looking at.”

Djed Spence emerges in Liverpool thinking

Among the various strands discussed, Spence was the clearest priority from a defensive angle. Davis referenced reporting from Anfield Watch and then added the result of further checks, saying, “As me and Trev went digging on this. Yeah. That’s our info now. Liverpool absolutely having a serious look at Djed Spence.”

The reasoning behind that interest was laid out in direct terms. Davis said Liverpool “like him for a number of reasons. Number one, he is an electric quick.” He added, “He is an excellent, as you’ve also seen as like him for a one-on-one defender. Also, he’s an excellent carrier.”

That profile matters. Davis also stressed the versatility factor, saying, “he can play right back and left back at the same time, which means you just wonder, you know, you sell Simicas, you’ve got right back and left back cover there in Djed Spence.”

There was also a data-based point raised in support of the player’s strengths. In Davis’ words, “he’s an exceptional carrier”, adding, “94th percentile for progressive carries 96 percentile for carries into final third he is quick and he is an excellent one-on-one defender”.

Price, however, remains the obvious complication. Davis said, “They’re gonna want top dollar. So they should. Spurs should be asking for something like 40 million quid because he’s homegrown. He’s just had a great World Cup.” He followed that with the key caveat, “He’s not worth that though, is he? It’s just It’s a complicated one at right back and center back for Liverpool right now.”

Even so, the message was straightforward. “Have to keep eyes on Djed Spence this week.”

Photo: IMAGO

Bradley Barcola remains top attacking target

Spence was not the only name under discussion. In attack, Bradley Barcola remains the standout target in the current conversation. Davis framed it firmly, saying, “it’s quite clear he’s Liverpool’s top target.”

He cited French reporting that “Liverpool is stepping up the attack on the Bradley Barola file” and that “The Reds are preparing an imminent offer estimated at 85 million to try to convince PSG to let go of the 23-year-old French winger who’s had another standout season.” Davis then underlined the expectation around timing, saying, “You’d want movement on it this week.”

There was also realism around valuation. “£85 million isn’t going to get it done,” Davis said. “PSG will want more than £120 million. It’s hard to gauge a price.” He later added, “if we’re going to make a bid let’s get it on”.

Photo: IMAGO

Positional debate around Barcola was acknowledged too. Davis accepted, “he is a left winger”, but also pointed to his broader utility: “he has played on the right side” and “he can play across the front line.”

That matters in the context of Liverpool’s current priorities, especially with Davis stressing repeatedly that “it does seem the focus is on the winger spot. It does seem the focus is on certain defensive parts.”

Transfer caution around other names

The wider market remains fluid, though Davis was careful on several fronts. On Yan Diomande, he noted that “City and Arsenal have also asked about Diomande made real inquiries for it as well.” Yet the conclusion from his side was blunt: “you’d still expect for Diomande to end up at PSG” and, more significantly for Liverpool, “I think Liverpool would be mental to get back into the mix.”

Pedro Neto was described as “definitely a name being looked at”, though Davis made no attempt to disguise his own lack of enthusiasm, saying, “Do I like it? Absolutely not one single bit.”

On other defensive links, he urged restraint. Referring to a possible centre-back option, Davis said, “it’s just one to watch. There’s no hot link there. There’s nothing that’s going to definitely happen at all.”