Liverpool have set their sights on a significant defensive overhaul for 2027, identifying Nottingham Forest’s Murillo and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck as the primary candidates to anchor the backline for the future. As manager Andoni Iraola looks to solidify his squad, the club is bracing for the potential departure of legendary captain Virgil van Dijk, whose current contract is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2026-27 season.
While discussions regarding a new deal for the 35-year-old Dutch international remain ongoing, no agreement has been reached. In a proactive move to safeguard the club’s long-term ambitions, the recruitment team has begun scouting top-tier talent capable of succeeding the iconic defender. According to reports from The Daily Briefing, the Anfield hierarchy has narrowed its focus to Murillo and Schlotterbeck, valuing both for their technical proficiency.
The club’s tactical requirements are clear: the ideal recruit must be adept at building attacks from deep, capable of defending large areas of space, and comfortable operating within a possession-heavy system. Both Murillo and Schlotterbeck have emerged as the standout European candidates who fit this specific profile. Despite both players committing to contract extensions at their respective clubs earlier this year, their combined estimated transfer value of €123.9 million has not deterred Liverpool’s interest. Other high-profile names, such as Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni and Barcelona’s Jules Kounde, are also reportedly on the club’s radar, though the focus remains firmly on the duo from Forest and Dortmund.
However, not everyone at Anfield is looking exclusively at external signings. Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has urged the club to reconsider a familiar face to solve their defensive dilemma: Jarell Quansah. The young defender, currently thriving at Bayer Leverkusen, possesses a £56m (€65m) buyback clause that Aldridge believes should be activated immediately.
“For me, it’s a no-brainer,” Aldridge told The Liverpool Echo. “He has proven people wrong and is playing exceptionally well for both Leverkusen and England. If you lose Virgil, you need four top-tier center-halves, and bringing Quansah back would make the defensive unit incredibly solid.”
Aldridge noted that while current boss Andoni Iraola may not have initially favored the youngster, his rapid development abroad has made him a viable and economical solution. Whether the club chooses to pursue the high-value signatures of Murillo and Schlotterbeck or exercise the buyback option on their former academy prospect, it is clear that the transition into the post-Van Dijk era is now the highest priority for the Liverpool recruitment department. With the 2027 window looming, the Reds are positioning themselves to ensure the defensive void left by their captain is filled with precision.
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