Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a summer swoop for 20-year-old Chelsea defender Levi Colwill.
According to 90min, Premier League giants Liverpool are ready to make an offer to rivals Chelsea to secure the services of defender Levi Colwill in the ongoing summer transfer window.
The 20-year-old is one of the best young defenders in the Premier League and enjoyed a fine loan spell out at Brighton & Hove Albion. While injuries limited his impact last season, Colwill’s potential is clear for all to see.
A left-footed centre-back, Colwill is worth his salt in the modern game. A ball-playing defender who is capable of holding his own, he would form a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s backline should the Liverpool manager play a three-man defence.
Doing so will also allow the Reds to deploy Trent Alexander-Arnold in the inverted full-back role. The Kop favourite can then play his role as a dual number six and add further bite and variety to the Liverpool attack.
Chelsea, for their part, are keen to retain Colwill. Mauricio Pochettino is keen to keep on the youngster and see a future for him at Stamford Bridge. Colwill still has two years left on his current deal, giving Chelsea some leeway when it comes to negotiations.
Liverpool remain confident and appear to fancy their chances of landing the 20-year-old. The youngster remains unconvinced of his long-term future at Stamford Bridge, and it could play a role in him opting to move to Anfield instead.
The Reds’ backline is ageing, with Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk not getting younger. Joe Gomez has also lost his mojo, leaving Ibrahima Konate the lone reliable long-term option at centre-back. Adding Colwill will future-proof Klopp’s options to a degree while also adding a much-needed homegrown player to the squad.
A lot will depend on whether Chelsea can get Colwill to pen an extension. Should the 20-year-old refuse to do so, it could give the Reds the impetus needed to push on. Either way, his standout performances in England Under-21’s successful European Championship campaign has not gone unnoticed.
Left-footed ball-playing centre-backs are worth their price in gold. With Pau Torres on his way to Aston Villa and Micky van de Ven Tottenham Hotspur bound, it makes sense for Liverpool to go all in for Colwill. It should prove to be an interesting game of chess between two giants who are rebuilding and are seeking to reclaim their lost throne.
