Liverpool could still do with wrapping up some business in the final days of the summer transfer window.
With the Reds having failed to sign a single player since the window started, there is concern that they may have ran out of time.
Richard Hughes appears to have a lot on his plate as sports director, with a number of places in the Liverpool squad in need of strengthening.
Midfield remains the most pressing concern in that regard, but after missing out on Martin Zubimendi, it appears like Liverpool will not recruit a midfielder this year.
With multiple probable defensive outgoings, it appears like Arne Slot will have to go to the market to improve his back line.
Liverpool interested in Mohamed Simakan.
Liverpool could lose two or three centre backs before next Friday’s transfer deadline. Sepp van den Berg appears to be on his way out, while Joe Gomez is also considering his options.
Add in Nat Phillips’ interest, and Liverpool’s chances are looking increasingly slim.
If all three of those transfers go through, the Reds will be unable to begin the season with their current roster. It’d be 2020/21 all over again.
Fortunately, it appears that Liverpool is looking at potential replacements for those positions.
According to German journalist Philipp Hinze, Liverpool believe Mohamed Simakan, the centre-back for RB Leipzig, may be one of those solutions.
Simakan was linked with Liverpool earlier this summer, and according to Hinze, the 24-year-old is still on Slot’s radar.
“Once again confirmed: Liverpool FC continue to have interest in Leipzig’s defender Mo Simakan,” according to a journalist. “It isn’t progressed or concrete, but Simakan remains on Liverpool’s list. Juventus is keeping an eye on the Frenchman.
“Simakan isn’t unhappy in Leipzig. However, the Frenchman is open to taking the next step. There is a lot of interest in Europe, but no one has been concrete so far.”
How much does Mohamed Simakan cost?
There’s little doubt that Liverpool has to buy a defender, and if they do all of their outgoing business, it appears like they will.
Selling Van den Berg, Gomez, and Phillips may bring Liverpool over £80 million in sales. The money would then need to be reinvested.
In terms of Simakan, it appears that Liverpool has enough change to bring him in. According to rumors, acquiring Simakan from Leipzig would cost roughly £34 million.
That does not seem like a bad price for a player that former Leipzig manager Jesse Marsch described as ‘quick, highly combative, and has a true footballing intelligence’ [Bundesliga.com].
There are still many moving parts in this, but if Liverpool does need a new centre-back, don’t be surprised if Simakan is the guy they choose.
