Liverpool eyeing move to sign £69m defender – Report | OneFootball

Liverpool Eye £69m Defensive Upgrade Amid Injury Concerns

Credit to talkSPORT for bringing fresh clarity to Liverpool’s looming dilemma at centre-back. With Giovanni Leoni ruled out for around a year and Ibrahima Konate briefly limping off against Chelsea, the situation has escalated from a positional need to a structural priority. Arne Slot’s decision to move Ryan Gravenberch into defence rather than trust Joe Gomez highlighted the lack of depth more than any press conference ever could.

Virgil van Dijk, Konate and Gomez remain the only recognised senior options, but the trust levels clearly vary. Liverpool had agreed a £35m deal for Marc Guehi in the summer only for it to collapse on deadline day. That situation remains fluid with Guehi now entering the final eight months of his contract at Crystal Palace, yet competition for his signature is guaranteed.

Diomande Emerges as High-End Alternative

TalkSPORT report that Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande is firmly under consideration. Despite a £69m price tag, the figure is expected to drop sharply with just one year left on his contract by next summer. He is said to be one of several centre-backs identified through Liverpool’s data profiling, matching physical and technical metrics aligned with Slot’s model.

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Signing a defender of Diomande’s profile would be in keeping with Liverpool’s long-term squad evolution. At only 21, he is already proven at European level and fits the mould of a high-ceiling talent who could operate either alongside or ultimately succeed Van Dijk.

Contract Timings Add Extra Urgency

Konate’s own contract situation adds another wrinkle. With uncertainty over his future, Liverpool cannot afford to enter 2026 with multiple first-team defenders approaching either expiring contracts or physical question marks. A proactive solution is required rather than a reactive scramble.

That is why both Guehi and Diomande remain firmly in play. One represents Premier League readiness, the other higher ceiling potential. Liverpool must now decide whether to pursue value or dominance.

Smart Business or Expensive Gamble?

Whether Diomande represents ideal value is still up for debate. TalkSPORT stress he is one of several names, not necessarily the front-runner. However, Liverpool fans have seen deals accelerate quickly when data, availability and club will all align. If a reduced price becomes reality, this could gather pace.

What is certain is that Liverpool will sign a centre-back next year. The question now is how ambitious they choose to be.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter perspective, this link to Ousmane Diomande feels like a statement of intent. While Guehi would be a perfectly solid addition, Diomande is the kind of signing that signals genuine succession planning. Fans still remember how Van Dijk’s arrival transformed the club, and while no one is expecting a repeat at that level, there is growing anticipation that the next defender must be more than just cover.

The concern, however, lies in hesitation. Liverpool cannot sleepwalk into another defensive injury crisis. Slot has already won a Premier League title in his debut year, so expectations remain sky-high. Supporters will not accept a January or summer window where the club “tried” and walked away. If Guehi is obtainable for a cut price, seal it. If Diomande is the higher-upside play, pay it early before rivals enter.

There is also curiosity around Gomez. If Slot does not trust him at centre-back, then his role must be redefined or replaced. Gravenberch at centre-half was inventive, but it should not be a recurring theme.

The message from the fanbase is simple: act early, act decisively and do not settle for short-term patches. Whether it is Guehi or Diomande, Liverpool need their next Van Dijk moment.