Liverpool have enjoyed a bright start to the season and, with the January transfer window now on the horizon, could well look to bolster their ranks further.
The Reds made just two senior signings last summer in Giorgi Mamardashvili and Federico Chiesa, and only the latter is currently at Anfield.
Liverpool could well look to strengthen their defence in wake of Joel Matip’s departure on a free transfer last year and amid an uncertain future for Virgil van Dijk.
He recently revealed – as per Goal.com – that “discussions are ongoing” with the Reds about a contract extension but “will see what happens in the future”.
Now, it has been reported that Liverpool have recently scouted a defender in La Liga with a £50million release clause – and he impressed in said match.
Liverpool scouting Sevilla’s Loic Bade
The player in question is Sevilla’s Loic Bade and, according to AS, Liverpool scouts were in attendance at Sunday’s game between his club and Barcelona.
Although Sevilla lost 5-1, Bade was the ‘best of his team in the defensive department’ and also weighed in with a ‘magnificent 60-metre pass’ to Stanis Idumbo to score.
AS acknowledged that the 24-year-old recently penned a new contract with a £50million release clause.
However, they also claimed that, ‘without a doubt’, Sevilla ‘would sell him for considerably less money if necessary’.
This is because the ‘financial problems they are going through will force them to make several important transfers in the upcoming windows.’
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Who is Liverpool target Loic Bade?
Bade is a 24-year-old professional footballer who plies his trade for Sevilla and has represented France at Under-21 and Olympic level thus far.
The 6ft 3in ace played youth football for Antony Sports, Boulogne-Billancourt and Paris FC before making his breakthrough at Le Havre.
Bade then joined Lens in 2020 and spent one season there before moving to Rennes in 2021, though he only made 15 appearances for them.
He spent time on loan at Nottingham Forest but his stint was cut short in January 2023 without making a single appearance at the City Ground.
Bade then joined Sevilla on loan that same month and he did well in Spain, prompting them to take up their option to buy from Rennes in the summer.
The 2000-born defender has made 68 competitive appearances for Sevilla to date, registering four goals and four assists in the process.
Scouting outlet Breaking the Lines wrote in 2023: “He wins aerial duels with regularity but it is his ability to anticipate danger and cut it out, as well as his ability to keep skilful dribblers from going past him that set him apart at Paris.”