Liverpool plots the “epic” £17 million defender hijack

Liverpool’s smart business sense in the transfer market could prevent Arne Slot from getting caught up in a crazy crowd when the panic station resides before the impending closing day.

Ah well. There is a bad problem on the side. Liverpool won the Premier League with a relatively easy chance last season, and have already completed a series of signatures plugging in the gap ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. They have to defend their titles, and expectations are high throughout the tournament front.

Still, that shiny league title eased the blow of losing the Carabao Cup final, wasn’t it? However, there cannot be denied that Liverpool was soaked around the spring. This is a rough patch that limits the scope of extraordinary success for slots.

With more quality needed, Richard Hughes oversaw such an essential start to the summer market, with the sports director turning his head towards the central defense.

Why Liverpool wants centre-back

At the beginning of June, Liverpool agreed to sell Jarrell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £30 million and add-ons. The buyback clause is listed in the contract.

The move will not be finalized until the defender completes his duties with England at the Under-21 European Championship, but he will not become a Liverpool player next season.

Liverpool also hangs in Ibrahima Conate, so they are aiming to mark Mark Guech of Crystal Palace, who is expected to leave Selhurst Park this summer. Anfield appeared as the main suitor of the race.

We all know Real Madrid’s expertise that has distorted the Spanish media, but Conate remains “disappointed” after rejecting Liverpool’s latest contract offer, actually heading towards the final year of his £70,000 contract.

However, if Liverpool doesn’t sign Guehi’s contract on the line, a fresh face will still be needed to bolster the Real Guard.

Liverpool registers interest in Guehi’s alternatives

According to transfer insider Graham Bailey, Liverpool took part in the race for Spanish centre-back Christian Mosquera playing for Valencia in La Liga.

The Reds slow down their pace after breaking into the windows, but Hughes keeps an eye on the 21-year-old as Arsenal begins to accelerate his profits.

In fact, athletic David Ornstein revealed that the gunners are locked up in talks for the new star, with 20 million euros (£17 million) agreed.

If Liverpool wants to complete the hijacking, they need to move fast.

Why Liverpool wants Christian Mosquera

Guehi brings some integrity to Liverpool and is otherwise proven in the Premier League, but he cost quite a bit at £50 million.

If a breakthrough is discovered against Conate, does it make sense to start such a bid, especially if Guehi already has certain reservations about play time?

He is a great player, but Mosquera has shown significant potential and could be a valuable project for slots and his coaching team in the coming years.

In the 2024/25 campaign, the Spaniard, born and raised in Alicante to Colombian parents, actually started out with 37 of the Valencia league equipment. They lost 7-1.

A coincidence? Probably not. The natural ease of the giant defender in high pressure situations would have been perfect for that match. And when his metrics compare to Guehi around their respective league seasons, we begin to see exactly why he is so much coveted.

Let me remind you that Mosquera is 21 years old. You can really see why Arsenal is interested in bringing him to the chiefs. But Mosquera’s steely tackles and crisp passing plays, these basic defensive virtue blends can develop into Anfield’s world class.

Slots promote a ball-play game, and he expects his central vehicle to contribute, and will select them in the upfield of space to cause a catastrophic transition.

And if that’s not enough, Mosquera ranks in the top 18% of the central defenders of the progressive Carrie Larlieger in the previous period and in the top 7% of ball recovery per 90, highlighting Guech’s mobility and actually comparable athletic ability.

This is an interesting element for defenders to equip their toolkits, but as Mosquera does, when you’re so talented at getting the ball, as pointed out, a “really great centre-back” is created, as talent scout Jacek Kulig points out.

Furthermore, Mosquera’s success in the air may not be very good, but it will improve. Guehi is also interested in the La Liga star already reaching higher standards in that regard, as he discovers that his stronger challenges will come to earth.

There is definitely a more refined man in the palace. But given that Liverpool already boasts two of the best defenders in the world of Conate and skipper Virgil van Dik, wouldn’t it make sense to sign a developing star who can learn from the superstars under the wings of the slot ahead of more prominent roles in the coming years?