Sources: "Very positive" update as Liverpool expected to step up pursuit of Man Utd target | OneFootball

Liverpool are expected to step up their pursuit of Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, who has also been monitored by Manchester United.

As first reported via my exclusive here for the Daily Briefing, the France international is attracting a lot of interest from the Premier League after impressing in Serie A.

Both Liverpool and Man Utd have scouted Kalulu closely, with the feedback being “very positive” so far, though Juventus understandably want to keep him.

It remains to be seen how likely a deal is while Kalulu has a contract that runs until 2029, but he’d likely be able to earn significantly more money at a top English club like Liverpool or United.

Pierre Kalulu transfer interest from the Premier League

As well as LFC and MUFC, there is also understood to be some interest from Tottenham, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa.

However, the Reds really need a top defensive signing amid doubts over Ibrahima Konate’s future, and with Virgil van Dijk set to turn 35 this summer.

“United and Liverpool have had scouts watch Kalulu play recently and the feedback has been very positive,” one source told me.

“United are looking at a long list of options and Kalulu is one they really like,” another source said. “We can also expect Liverpool to step up their interest, whether or not they lose Ibrahima Konate.”

Pierre Kalulu vs other top defenders

We’ll likely see a lot of similar players being linked with Liverpool and United in the weeks and months ahead, so how does Kalulu compare?

Here’s a neat graphic below from DataMB, with Kalulu coming out very well compared to other defenders linked with big clubs in recent weeks…

Defender stats comparison (DataMB)

Kalulu has that ball-playing and ball-carrying ability that top clubs will be looking for, but there is perhaps also room for improvement when it comes to winning his aerial duels.