Liverpool are keeping tabs on the situation of RC Strasbourg defender Mohamed Simakan, who is also a transfer target for Chelsea, RB Leipzig and AC Milan.
According to an update from Telefoot journalist Julien Maynard on Twitter, Premier League champions Liverpool are closely monitoring the development surrounding RC Strasbourg centre-back Mohamed Simakan, who could be on his way out of the Ligue 1 club this month.
The 20-year-old has grown into a mainstay at the back for Strasbourg over the past eighteen months and has started each of their 18 Ligue 1 matches this term, contributing with a goal and an assist. Despite the club struggling in the lower half of the table, Simakan has managed to carve out quite a reputation from himself.
This has led to the Frenchman attracting interest from several quarters in the ongoing transfer window, including Premier League giants Chelsea. The Blues are on the lookout for a long-term replacement for veteran defender Thiago Silva, who even though has impressed heavily this term, is in the twilight of his career.
Simakan had emerged as a potential target for Chelsea, but as per Maynard’s update, it is AC Milan and RB Leipzig that are leading the chase for the 20-year-old. It is claimed that both the clubs are close to arriving at an agreement with Strasbourg over the transfer of the defender.
However, Liverpool could be set to make a late swoop for the 20-year-old as they are closely monitoring his ongoing situation. The Reds are in urgent need of defensive reinforcements, having lost both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez to long-term injuries earlier this season.
Joel Matip is the only senior centre-back left at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal. But, he too has had his fair share of injury problems, leaving Fabinho to do the heavy lifting as a makeshift centre-back along with the inexperienced duo of Rhys Williams and Nathaniel Phillips.
For Liverpool to be able to successfully defend their Premier League crown and push for trophies in other competitions, addressing this issue in January is of paramount importance. To that end, the Reds have been linked to a host of defenders, including Juventus star Merih Demiral.
Liverpool are now also said to be closely following Simakan’s situation. The 20-year-old could prove to be a fine long-term investment for the Merseyside giants. However, with AC Milan and RB Leipzig in advanced negotiations with Strasbourg, a move for the Frenchman looks a tad unlikely.