Five centre-backs Liverpool could sign in January after devastating Giovanni Leoni news
Liverpool have been rocked by the news that summer signing Giovanni Leoni has suffered a season-ending setback.
As the Reds defeated Southampton 2-1 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, 23 September, Leoni suffered an ACL injury.
The 18-year-old’s absence leaves Arne Slot with Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez as his only senior centre-back options.
In the summer transfer window, Liverpool’s move for Marc Guehi collapsed, meaning they could turn to the market once again in January, with Leoni’s injury handing them extra incentive.
Football Insider takes a look at five centre-backs Slot’s men could now look at signing in the January transfer window to add both competition and depth.
Dayot Upamecano
Bayern Munich star Dayot Upamecano has established a reputation as one of the best centre-backs in Europe, while he still boasts potential at the age of 26.
The France international remains a key figure for Vincent Kompany’s team, featuring in all four of their Bundesliga victories this term.
However, Upamecano’s contract with Bayern expires next summer, meaning that the January transfer window will present the German giants with their last chance to cash-in on him, if the situation isn’t rectified.
As per transfermarkt, his market value is £43.7million, but Liverpool could negotiate a cut-price, given his current contract status.
Marc Guehi
Football Insider have exclusively revealed that Bayern Munich and Barcelona have joined the race to sign Guehi.
However, the injury suffered by Leoni should give the Reds the motivation they need to do all they can to fend off stiff competition for the 25-year-old and land his signature.
Similarly to Upamecano’s situation at Bayern, Guehi’s contract expires at the end of the season, meaning he could be offloaded in January.
As per transfermarkt, the former Chelsea man is worth £39.3m.
Ezri Konsa
Although Ezri Konsa is one of Unai Emery’s key assets, Aston Villa have ongoing PSR concerns, meaning the West Midlands side could be well served by selling one of their star players.
Liverpool could test the Villa Park outfit’s resolve by making a swoop for Konsa, whose exploits both in the Premier League and on the international scene for England prove that he can perform for Slot.
| Ezri Konsa stats | All competitions 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 50 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 0 |
The 27-year-old should be keen on enjoying Champions League football once again, having featured in the competition for Emery’s side last term.
Konsa’s transfermarkt value is £30.5m.
Jan Paul van Hecke
Football Insider have revealed that Brighton could be forced to sell Jan Paul Van Hecke if a Champions League club comes in for him.
Therefore, Liverpool should make a move for the 25-year-old who has proven his worth in the Premier League for the Seagulls.
The Reds would hand Van Hecke the chance he needs to progress his career, while his value is £27.9m, as per transfermarkt.
Edmond Tapsoba
In the summer transfer window, Liverpool signed Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.
The Anfield giants could make up for Leoni’s setback by signing current Leverkusen ace Edmond Tapsoba, who played a crucial role in the German outfit’s historic 2023/24 campaign, when they won both the Bundesliga and the German Cup.
He is likely to be affordable, with a transfermarkt value of £30.5m.