Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has warned the club that Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng would not improve their squad.
Boateng has been linked with an exit from the German champions, and CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has done little to deny those rumours, claiming the club would consider “serious offers” for the 29-year-old.
However, Nicol does not believe that Boateng would be a good addition to Liverpool’s backline, saying:
“I am not a huge fan. The last 12 months, he has had injury problems and form problems. So right now, no.”
Apart from that though, no problems
Reports have also linked Boateng to Liverpool’s rivals, Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Liverpool may choose not to sign a centre-back at all, with Jurgen Klopp happy to use Joe Gomez in the role.
In fact, that’s obviously what will happen. Nicol is advising against something that isn’t even on the agenda.
Jurgen Klopp has denied rumours that Liverpool will sign a new centre-back this summer, due to his faith in Joe Gomez.
Gomez played 23 times in the Premier League last season, mainly as a right-back, but he has been tipped to switch to the centre of defence in upcoming seasons.
Despite links with Domagoj Vida and James Tarkwoski, Klopp has insisted that Gomez will be a suitable option at centre-back.
The Anfield boss said: “Joe Gomez, playing in that role as a central defender, he combines a lot of things you don’t find on the transfer market so I don’t see the need at the moment.”
With Nathaniel Clyne returning to fitness, opportunities at right-back may be limited for Gomez this season, meaning he could be the solution to Liverpool’s need for a new centre-back.
However, Klopp did not rule out moves for players in other positions before the transfer window closes.
He said: “[With many] days to go in the transfer market, a lot can happen. So now I say no, maybe you ask me tomorrow and I’ll say something different.”
Liverpool have already spent heavily this summer, bringing in Fabinho, Naby Keita, Alisson and Xherdan Shaqiri as they look to mount a title challenge.
Manchester United have been offered Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng for £50m, according to reports.
United are keen to bring in defensive reinforcements, but have failed to lure Harry Maguire from Leicester and are reluctant to meet Tottenham’s £50m valuation for Toby Alderweireld, who would be available for half that fee a year from now due to a clause in his contract.
Jose Mourinho has also been linked with a move for Yerry Mina, with Barcelona seemingly keen to cash in on the Colombian after his excellent displays at the World Cup.
Boateng did not enjoy the World Cup, struggling along with the rest of his Germany team-mates as they crashed out in the group stage, and the 29-year-old has seen a potential move to PSG collapse, and Bayern remain willing to offload him at the right price.
Bayern Munich won’t be making an approach for France full-back Benjamin Pavard – but the Bundesliga champions will consider offers for Jerome Boateng.
Pavard has been linked with a big money move from Stuttgart after impressing during Les Bleus’ World Cup triumph in Russia.
Stuttgart has pledged to keep Pavard for at least one more year and Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has dismissed reports his club are keen on the 22-year-old.
He told sources: “Could Benjamin Pavard replace Boateng in Bayern? No.
“We have Hummels, Sule, Martinez who can play in central defence, Alaba and two young players, Lukas Mai and Chris Richards. There are many qualities.”
But Rummenigge said Bayern would mull over any “serious offers” for Germany defender Boateng, who has been linked with PSG, Manchester United and Manchester City.