Liverpool  signing 23-year-old centre-back who ‘loves duels’

Liverpool have added Rennes defender Arthur Theate to their list of centre-back targets.

The Reds are claimed to be on the hunt for a new defender to add to their squad this summer. And although neither Joel Matip nor Joe Gomez now look likely to be sold, rumours have persisted

According to French outlet L’Equipe, the latest name to catch Liverpool’s eye is Belgium international Theate.

It’s claimed that the 23-year-old would ‘fit the mould’ of what Jurgen Klopp is looking for in a new centre-back. At the moment, that would appear to be essentially: left-footed and under the age of 24. Theate ticks both boxes.

Unfortunately for Liverpool though, they’ll reportedly face competition for Theate. Fulham are also said to be on the lookout for left-footers at the back, and have also supposedly earmarked the Rennes man

Liverpool looking at Theate

As the window ticks into the final 11 days, it really doesn’t seem likely that Liverpool will add another defender to their squad.

All summer long various names have been put forward as potential candidates. But so far all have failed to go anywhere at all.

With Matip and Gomez still hovering around and Nat Phillips even still on the books, the Reds are full.

As things stand, it looks much more likely that next summer will actually be when Liverpool are actively looking for a centre-back.

Should Theate stay where he is, or even go to Fulham, you could see him being a candidate then.

The former Bologna loanee was praised by then Belgian boss Roberto Martinez after making his international debut in 2021 and has gone from strength to strength ever since.

“He’s a player with a lot of character. He likes duels, he was good in aggression and intensity,” Martinez said after that game with Wales [Archysport]. Sounds good to us. But we’d be surprised to see anything progress over the next day