Liverpool have identified three centre-backs from across Europe as they look to replace Dejan Lovren, who is likely to leave in the summer.
Lovren, who joined the Reds in 2014, has made 184 appearances for the Anfield club but is out of contract this summer and has not signed a deal to extend his stay.
As such, the European Champions are looking to recruit a new central defender and sporting director Michael Edwards is understood to have three targets.
Spanish outlet AS report that Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez, RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano and Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni are all being monitored.
Uruguay stalwart Gimenez is the oldest of the trio at 25 years old and he could prove the hardest deal to pull off from Liverpool’s perspective.
He is contracted at the Wanda Metropolitano until 2023 and has an eye-watering release clause of €120m.
However, Gimenez has struggled this season due to injury and only made 16 appearances, meaning Atletico boss Diego Simeone has preferred a centre-back partnership of Stefan Savic and Felipe.
This could mean Gimenez is available this summer at a cut-price fee after spending seven years in the Spanish capital.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s more youthful targets are Upamecano, 21 and Bastoni, 20.
Upamecano has shone for Leipzig this season, attracting the attention of Premier League clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as Spanish giants Barcelona.
Though the Frenchman has a £92m release clause, it is thought a bid of £50m could lure him from the Red Bull Arena.
Italy youth player Bastoni rounds off the shortlist. He has made 21 appearances this season, scoring once, and is among the hottest prospects in Serie A.
Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Manchester City are also interested in the youngster, whose impressive performances have forced manager Antonio Conte to start him over veteran centre-half Diego Godin, according to Italian outlet Calcio Mercato.
