Liverpool & Ward already making 'concrete' moves for 'extraordinary' £63m-rated monster

Liverpool have shown ‘concrete’ interest in signing Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt this summer, according to a fresh transfer rumour.

The Dutchman has emerged as one of world football’s top young centre-backs in recent years, settling in well at Juventus after making his name at Ajax.

De Ligt started 29 Serie A matches for Juve this season, and at just 22, there is a feeling that the peak years of his career remain some way away.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for the defender in recent times and now a new report is doing the rounds.

According to Calciomercato [via Sport Witness], Julian Ward and co made ‘rather concrete’ steps towards signing De Ligt a few weeks ago and he is ‘one of the most coveted defenders’ in the market this summer.

The £63million-rated Netherlands international’s current Juve deal expires in 2024, so only a mammoth bid would likely be able to prise him away.

While the idea of De Ligt in a Liverpool shirt is exciting – he has been described as ‘extraordinary’ by Daley Blind – there is no great need for him currently.

Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip are both still at the peak of their powers, despite turning 31 later this year, while Ibrahima Konate is a fantastic option, too. Joe Gomez could also stay at Anfield beyond this summer, so it is hard to see how the Juve man would start every week.

Further down the line, De Ligt could be a sensational signing, teaming up with Konate, but Liverpool’s chance to snap him up may have gone by then.

In other news, three Liverpool players have been backed to leave this summer. Read more here.

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