Liverpool told they can sign 'the world's best centre-back' for £87m this summer

Liverpool have been told they can sign 'the world's best centre-back' as the summer transfer window draws ever closer.

Jurgen Klopp is expected to primarily focus on Liverpool's midfield in the transfer market after the club confirmed James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Arthur Melo would all leave the club at the end of the campaign.

The Reds had their sights set on Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham but had to surrender their interest due to the extortionate transfer fees involved.

They have since turned their attention to Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who has impressed on the south coast this season.

However, Klopp is also reportedly keen to add a new centre-back to his ranks, and RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig has emerged as a potential target.

The 21-year-old is part of a four-man list created by new Liverpool sporting director Jorg Schmadtke who will target players from German football this summer, according to German news outlet Bild.

The list includes Borussia Mönchengladbach's Florian Neuhaus, Eintracht Frankfurt's Daichi Kamada and Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.

Only time will tell whether Schmadtke is able to land any of the players this summer, but the Reds have been given a significant boost in their pursuit of Gvardiol.

Liverpool told they can sign Gvardiol

Despite Leipzig's unwillingness to sell Gvardiol, who was labelled "the world's best centre-back" by Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic, Liverpool have been told they can still sign him this summer.

Assessing the four options put forward by Schmadtke, Bild claim that Liverpool could sign the Croatian defender Gvardiol if they meet their €100 million (£87m) asking price this summer.

Indeed, it is unlikely Liverpool will be able to afford Gvardiol in addition to their other midfield targets. However, they will also be desperate to avoid paying his €112 million release clause next summer.

That is despite Gvardiol calling Liverpool his "dream club" earlier this season.

Speaking to TV channel RTLDanas in January, he said: "My dream club? That would definitely be Liverpool. Since I was little, I watched a lot of their matches with my dad.

"We covered every season in detail. It is a club that has remained in my heart".

Topics: Liverpool, Josko Gvardiol, Transfers, Football, Jurgen Klopp, RB Leipzig, Premier League, Bundesliga

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno