By David Lynch, Merseyside Correspondent

22nd Jun, 2023 | 9:59am

Lynch: Liverpool to '100%' complete defender signing

Liverpool will “100 per cent” sign a centre-back this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

The Reds are currently assessing the market and have made preliminary moves over signing a new central defender.

Although it looks unlikely that Joel Matip will leave this summer, as he enters the final year of his contract, the Reds are attempting to get ahead of the curve and prepare for his potential exit by bringing in defensive reinforcements.

Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Ven is one of several options that the Merseysiders are considering and Football Insider has learned that there is a 100 per cent chance the club will bring in a new centre-back in the upcoming window.

Van de Ven’s current contract runs until 2027 after signing an extension at the German club earlier this year but is believed to be the type of player that the Reds are looking for.

The 22-year-old made 33 Bundesliga appearances this season and was in the starting lineup for all of those outings.

Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio is another name on Liverpool’s list but his current contract runs until 2026 and it remains unclear whether the Portuguese outfit would be willing to let him leave this summer.

The 21-year-old was in the starting lineup for 43 of his 51 appearances this season and the Reds may not be able to offer as much game time as he could earn by staying in Portugal.

Jurgen Klopp’s side also made enquiries over Josko Gvardiol back in January as being the type of player they are looking to add to their back line but were quickly ruled out of a move due to the potential price of a deal.

In other news, Chelsea open talks to sign two stars that are at the top of Liverpool list.