Liverpool have identified three central defensive options to replace Dejan Lovren if the Croatian leaves the club in the summer.
The 30 year-old has made 184 appearances across all competitions in his six season stint at the Reds but he is out of contract next summer.
With Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez the preferred pairing in the heart of the defence at this present time, opportunities seem limited for the veteran to be a first team regular and therefore he may look at other options to continue his career.
It is for that reason that Liverpool have a contingency plan and The Mirror via Spanish publication (AS) reports that Michael Edwards has identified three targets.
They are Jose Gimenez from Atletico Madrid, Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig and Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan.
Gimenez is described as an individual is an aggressive, proactive centre back who's virtually flawless in the air, quick off the mark and difficult to knock off the ball.
His high level of anticipation helps him clear danger often, and his preferred style out of defence is to go long and seek teammates with lofted balls.
The Uruguayan international has had an injury interrupted season which saw him only be a bit-part player in the Champions League last 16 tie against the Reds.
While the 25 year-old is tied to the Madrid club until 2023 and has a release clause of €120 million there is belief that a cut-price deal could be in order with Diego Simeone sticking with a Steven Savic and Felipe partnership.
The other two options are younger with Upamecano 21 and Bastoni 20.
The scouting report on Upamecano says he is a is a strong and willing tackler with a solid aerial presence and very capable with the ball at his feet.
The French U/21 international is seen as one of the best young defenders in Europe and a major reason behind Leipzig’s very impressive campaign in the Bundesliga and Champions League this season.
He also doesn’t lack any confidence In his ability, saying just last month.
“As I said, first I focus on RB Leipzig and then about what I intend to do, but there are clubs that love me.
“I will speak well with my agents and my parents at the end of the season.
"And we will make the right decision."
The buyout clause could be a stumbling block (€92 Million) but again there is a thought a lower fee could be agreed to.
Lastly Bastoni is seen as one of the brightest stars of Serie A and his development has seen Inter manager Antonio Conte prefer him to veteran Diego Godin.
His strengths lie in his front foot defending and positioning along with his technical ability.
Along with youngster Sepp van den Berg who was signed last summer, it is good to see the club casting the net far and wide looking for extra quality and depth in the key defensive positions.
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