By Alan Hutton

29th Mar, 2023 | 5:15pm

Pundit can't believe Josko Gvardiol update at Liverpool - 'we're talking £100m'

Alan Hutton has insisted he “can’t see” Liverpool pursuing both Jude Bellingham and Josko Gvardiol this summer.

The former Rangers and Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, acknowledged that the Reds need defensive reinforcements after below-par showings from Joel Matip and Joe Gomez.

This site revealed on Sunday (26 March) that Liverpool are in the running to sign RB Leipzig centre-back Gvardiol this summer.

The Merseysiders are aware of strong competition for the Croatia international from Man United, Man City and Real Madrid.

Gvardiol, who starred at the World Cup in Qatar as his country claimed third place, is under contract until June 2027.

According to the Daily Mail (2 March), the centre-back has a release clause in his contract worth £97million that will be introduced in the summer of 2024.

Hutton told Football Insider’s Charlotte Cohen: “Defensively I think they need reinforcements.

“Gomez is coming into the side at the moment, Matip is coming in – and they’re just not giving Liverpool the performance levels that Jurgen Klopp wants.

“But we’re talking about a £100m player here in Gvardiol. Are they going to be willing to pay that? I just can’t see it.

“That’s more than Van Dijk. I’d be very surprised if they do that.

“They’re going for Bellingham too. His price will be through the roof already. We’ve not seen Liverpool spend like that before.

“There’s a lot of areas that Klopp will want to improve – so can they go out and spend £250m on two players? I wouldn’t have thought so, but that’s just my opinion.”

In other news, Football Insider updates as Liverpool handed signing boost – “he’s ready to go”.