Liverpool will need to strengthen in the summer transfer window if they are to put up a strong Premier League title defence and Arne Slot is being tipped to sign centre back from rival
Liverpool are being urged to go all out in pursuit of Bournemouth centre back Dean Huijsen this summer because he would make the perfect partner for Virgil van Dijk.
And former Red Jermaine Pennant reckons that Huijsen, who has been one of the breakout stars of the Premier League season, would take another big leap forward if he was able to learn from playing alongside captain Van Dijk.
The Premier League champions are expected to strengthen in a number of areas this summer to give Arne Slot a big chance of retaining their title.
And while a new centre forward and two full backs are their priorities, the Anfield club could also do with another option at the heart of their defence to support Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, who is nearing the final 12 months of his contract.
Huijsen has a buyout clause of £50m but because he is first-choice under Cherries boss Andoni Iraola, who are still in the hunt for a UEFA Conference League place, he will only sign for a club where he is expecting to start regularly.
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Several European giants are watching Huijsen, including domestic rivals Arsenal and Manchester United, but Pennant told aceodds.com : “Dean Huijsen has had a good season at Bournemouth and he’s in a mid-table team that’s doing well.
“And we’ve seen over the years whoever plays alongside Virgil, they become a better player because Virgil helps so much with communication.
“So if you have two good ball playing defenders it gives the opposition a lot of trouble as well. Konate isn’t really good with the ball on his feet. So if you’ve got two players like that, that gives the opposition a problem as to who they press out of possession.
“So I think Huijsen would be a good fit. He’s been linked with Liverpool and we need some cover as Konate is injury-prone. The rumours that Liverpool have been linked with him, it only makes them stronger.”
Slot has already suggested, that despite winning the title in his first season, there could be a big summer of change at Anfield. Speaking after Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah had signed their new deals, he hinted that would only be the start.
He told Sky Sports: “It’s already a big summer because we extended Virgil and Mo and for large parts of the season, I don’t think everyone expected that. For us to keep them is a big thing.
“I’ve said already that I am happy with the squad we have. We will see what the summer brings but sometimes it can be good to bring fresh energy. It has already been a good summer and we won the league. Only if we see someone on the market who can improve us.”
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