Liverpool were in the market for a new centre-back in January 2021 but their interest in Duje Caleta-Car was rebuffed by the defender, who went on to join Southampton
Few players reject Liverpool these days, but international defender Duje Caleta-Car once snubbed a switch to Anfield on deadline day. The Reds have just wrapped up a record-breaking transfer window that saw them splash out £446million on a collection of stars, including Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak, who finally sealed his move from Newcastle on Monday.
Not every window has proved successful for Liverpool; witness the January period of 2021. Jurgen Klopp’s side was in the middle of a defensive crisis, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip sidelined.
Liverpool desperately needed reinforcements, eventually bringing in Ben Davies from Preston North End and Ozan Kabak on loan from Schalke. The Reds also pursued Croatia star Caleta-Car, who was at Marseille at the time.
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But while Caleta-Car felt honoured to attract interest from the reigning Premier League champions, he chose to remain in southern France after discussions with his club. After the deadline passed, Caleta-Car revealed his reasoning behind rejecting a transfer to Merseyside, emphasising his pride at the club’s pursuit.
He said: “I received an offer from Liverpool. It was an honour for me to know that such a club wanted me.
“We decided with the club that I was going to stay. Marseille is also a great club and I still have a lot of improving to do here.”
Caleta-Car remained at Marseille for a further 18 months before eventually making his Premier League move in September 2022, signing for Southampton for £8m. Caleta-Car only managed 19 appearances for the Saints before being loaned out to Lyon, where he carved out a place in the heart of the Ligue 1 team’s defence. The French heavyweights then signed him on a permanent basis.
Fast-forward nearly five years from rejecting Liverpool, and the now 28-year-old might be pondering what might have been. Caleta-Car has been on the move again this summer, joining Real Sociedad on a season-long loan from Lyon. The Spanish have an option to buy.
Liverpool were hunting for a central defender just before the recent summer window shut and had agreed a fee of around £35m for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi. However, when the FA Cup winners failed to secure another defender before the deadline, they pulled out of the transfer.
As a result, Liverpool must sign a free agent or wait until the January window opens to bolster their defence. Free agent options include Takehiro Tomiyasu, who departed Arsenal earlier in the summer following an injury-plagued season.
Kurt Zouma is also available on a free transfer following his departure from West Ham. The ex-Chelsea defender made 20 appearances during a loan stint with Saudi Pro League side Al-Orobah last season. He last featured in a Premier League match in May last year.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
