Marc Guéhi’s transfer to Manchester City hurts Liverpool fans: the 25-year-old was close to signing for the Merseyside team last summer, even completing a medical with the reigning Premier League champions. But Crystal Palace’s decision to cancel the transfer at the last minute not only left the Reds with little defense, it opened the door for other competitors.
City got ahead of Liverpool and they decided not to match their €23 million contract for the English international. Finally Guéhi left for the Manchester club, which caused the understandable frustration of the Red fans.
With Giovanni Leoni out for the season, the Reds have only three options in central defence: 34-year-old Virgil van Dijk, the injury-prone Joe Gomez and the unconvincing Ibrahima Konaté, whose contract expires this summer. Liverpool are one or two injuries away from disaster.
Attention will now turn to who Liverpool can target in place of Guéhi, whether this winter or at the end of the season. Luckily, there are many impressive defenders available.
1. Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund)
Nico Schlotterbeck has established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s brightest stars in recent years. A key player in Borussia Dortmund’s path to the 2023/24 Champions League final, this imposing but technically impressive German has caught the eye with his defensive dominance, aerial prowess and expert distribution.
Schlotterbeck, an aggressive left-footed defender who is entering his prime at 26, should be a target for Liverpool this summer. With his contract expiring in 2027, the defender is expected to leave at the end of this season and the Premier League looks a likely destination. The Reds are regulars in the Bundesliga market and could return to the fray.
2. Lukeba Castle (Leipzig)
Schlotterbeck is not the only Bundesliga defender Liverpool are likely to be interested in this summer. Castello Lukeba has established himself as one of the best prospects in the division thanks to his combination of speed and defensive intelligence, shining with RB Leipzig over the last two and a half seasons. The 23-year-old is also left-footed and made his debut for the France senior team in 2023.
The Reds maintain a strong working relationship with Leipzig following agreements with Ibrahima Konaté and Dominik Szoboszlai, and could rely on that connection for a possible move for Lukeba. The Frenchman’s termination clause, of 94 million dollars, could be an obstacle for Liverpool, who will resist paying such a high figure after spending last summer, but they would be investing in both potential and talent.
3. Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth)
Marcos Senesi would be an opportunistic signing looking to add depth to the squad rather than star quality. The defender has impressed in a Bournemouth defense that was torn apart last summer and, despite not being the most physically dominant centre-back, his aggression and passing range has caught the eye.
However, the most important thing is the 28-year-old’s contractual situation. Senesi will be available as a free player at the end of the season, provided he does not renew with the Cherries. This would offer Liverpool a cost-effective way to strengthen their defence, and the squad’s depth issues would be compounded if Konaté leaves as a free agent this summer.
4. Joel Ordóñez (Club Brujas)
Joel Ordóñez is a product of the legendary Independiente del Valle youth team in his native Ecuador. The club that has produced Moisés Caicedo, William Pacho and Piero Hincapié in recent years also laid the foundations for the 21-year-old defender, who has impressed since arriving in Europe and joining Club Brugge.
Ordóñez has become a key player for the Belgian team and has been a target for Liverpool over the last year. Their supposed interest in the Ecuadorian international, with 14 caps and who will undoubtedly participate in the 2026 World Cup, could be resumed this summer, as he would offer a cheaper alternative to players like Schlotterbeck and Lukeba.
5. Ronald Araújo (FC Barcelona)
Ronald Araújo’s future remains uncertain: the FC Barcelona defender signed a contract extension last January, but still came into the summer under scrutiny, as the Uruguayan has been the subject of strong criticism this season. He even took a break for mental health reasons after his sending off against Chelsea in the Champions League, following intense scrutiny from the fans.
Araújo has returned to Barça, but his long-term future remains uncertain. The Catalan giants could be willing to accept an offer for the 26-year-old over the summer, and Liverpool would be remiss not to consider the talented defender, although he is unlikely to top their wish list.
6. Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton)
Liverpool’s Dutch contingent could add a new member this summer if the Reds turn their attention to promising Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke. The 25-year-old has been quietly impressing in the Premier League week after week, displaying a wide range of skills in defence. He is physically powerful, has exceptional ball handling and a scoring threat, although he lacks the speed of many modern defenders.
The Dutchman also has extensive experience in the Premier League, which makes him a highly valued player, and he has already started alongside Van Dijk in the Dutch national team. Brighton are, by nature, a selling club and seem unlikely to stand in their way if Europe’s elite claim them. Liverpool are one of the names who, at the very least, are expected to be considering Van Hecke.
7. Micky van de Ven (Tottenham)
Signing Micky van de Ven from Tottenham seems less complicated than ever. Spurs’ continued decline is alarming and, despite their presence in the Champions League this season, they look unlikely to qualify for next season’s competition. At that point, the 24-year-old will have to question his future in north London.
Another potential Dutchman in Liverpool’s sights, Van de Ven would be an excellent addition. Briefly linked with Liverpool before his move to Tottenham, he has shone in the Premier League with his combination of speed, power and scoring danger, and is already among the best centre-backs in the world. It would require a huge fee and a deal seems unlikely right now, but he could be the perfect signing for the Reds.
