Liverpool targeting Atletico Madrid defender as manager Diego Sieone admits player is opened to negotiations
Liverpool will face tough challenge for the signature of Southampton ace Virgil Van Dijk as Manchester City has also made the Dutch man a target for this winter window.
According to The Sun Liverpool are targeting Atletico Madrid defender Sime Vrasljiko as an option to the replacement of Van Dijk in case a deal for the Dutch man fail to go through this January. It also claimed that Italian side 'Napoli' are also interested in the Croatian international.
Vrsaljko has played just four times in La Liga this term - and 20 in total since signing a five-year deal the Los Rojiblancos in 2016.
Now Liverpool are hoping to swoop for the full-back, despite having a hatful of right-sided defenders on the books.
Vrsaljko, a right-back by trade, has struggled to break into Atletico’s side but his arrival could mean Joe Gomez can deputise in the middle rather than an unorthodox full-back slot.
Atletico Madrid boss Simeone said: "Sime is a big player and all big players have a value.
"We are happy when other clubs look at our players, this is normal and it is positive for us.
"The truth is Sime has been injured and when he has played for us he has done very well, but it is a fact that Juanfran has done superbly also."
Klopp is likely to be handed around £50m to invest in his squad in January and Simeone’s recent comments has alerted the Reds to Vrsaljko’s availability.
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