Liverpool will try to sign breakout star after career-changing year | OneFootball

Liverpool will try to sign a breakout star who's had a career-changing year. The Reds may go big here.

Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Liverpool are pushing to sign Pierre Kalulu from Juventus. They say the Reds ‘will try’ to get the Frenchman, hoping to test Juve’s resolve here.

Kalulu has had a breakout season at the club, emerging as a fantastic defender who can play a variety of positions. He’s started in four different roles this season, thanks to a change of system at the club, and offers exactly the kind of versatility that Liverpool need.

A Joe Gomez replacement, then? Kalulu isn’t someone who would come particularly cheap, especially with Manchester United also looking at him, but it seems Liverpool are set on their man here.

Pierre Kalulu: Situation Summary

Performance and Tactical Role

As of 6 March 2026, Pierre Kalulu has emerged as a vital component of Luciano Spalletti’s Juventus side, showcasing significant tactical versatility. Throughout the 2025/26 campaign, the 25-year-old Frenchman has transitioned between playing as a right-back in a four-man defence and a centre-back in a three-man line. Statistically, he has been highly productive for a defender, recording 2 goals and 3 assists in 26 Serie A appearances. According to FotMob, Kalulu maintains an average match rating of 7.22 for the current league season, highlighted by a standout 8.6 rating in a 2-2 draw against Lazio on 8 February.

Transfer Interest and Scouting

Kalulu’s consistent performances have triggered a high-profile transfer battle between Premier League rivals. Reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport on 5 March 2026 indicate that both Liverpool and Manchester United are prepared to "tempt Juventus" with significant offers this summer. Liverpool’s interest is reportedly driven by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konaté’s future, with Kalulu viewed as a "phenomenal" replacement who happens to share the same agent as Konaté. Manchester United have already taken active steps, reportedly sending scouts to monitor Kalulu during the recent Der Italia clash against Inter Milan.

Contractual Standing and Juventus' Response

Despite the mounting external interest, Juventus are in a strong negotiating position. Kalulu is currently under contract until 30 June 2029, having made his move from AC Milan permanent in July 2025. In response to his "record-breaking" form and the Premier League interest, Juventus have reportedly opened official talks to further extend his deal until 2030. This proposed renewal would include a salary increase from his current €2.5 million net per season to approximately €3 million net, a move intended to reward his status as an "unsellable" asset and a cornerstone of Spalletti’s defensive project.

Recent Match Events

Kalulu’s recent run of games has been eventful; he was sent off in a controversial 3-2 defeat to Inter Milan on 14 February following a second yellow card, an incident that sparked a major outcry in Italian media regarding VAR regulations. He successfully cleared his one-match ban and returned to the starting XI for the 3-3 draw against Roma on 1 March, playing the full 90 minutes. He is expected to start again in Juventus’s upcoming fixture against Pisa on Saturday, 7 March.