Liverpool are facing a battle to land one of their key transfer targets this summer, as Mundo Deportivo reports that Real Madrid are growing in confidence in their hopes of signing the defender instead.

It comes as the Reds continue to be linked with centre-back options in the transfer market, as the club hope to future proof the position in the coming weeks.

Ibrahima Konate’s exit as a free agent has thrown out a potential issue in the backline, with the 27-year-old failing to agree a deal and making the move to Real Madrid instead.

The arrival of Jeremy Jacquet, boosted by the return of Giovanni Leoni from injury, means that there are options to pair with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez in the backline.

However, as the latter pair only have one year remaining on their contracts, there may be concerns for next year and beyond, as links continue for another centre-back to join the club this summer.

Nico Schlotterbeck Transfer Latest

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Nico Schlotterbeck this summer, as the defender could be on the move in the transfer market.

It’s not the first time the Reds have shown interest in the Germany international, who could be available for roughly £50 million due to a release clause in his contract.

The deal signed at Borussia Dortmund includes the clause, but it can only be triggered by certain clubs, and it’s unclear whether Liverpool are one of those included.

One team who are certainly included are Real Madrid, as they have appeared as an option for the 26-year-old, who has been described as “elite” through his performances.

And even though Los Blancos are set to confirm Konate as a signing, the old foe are set to impact Liverpool further as the report from Mundo Deportivo claims that Schlotterbeck is a “strong contender” to be the club’s next signing.

Jose Mourinho, who also had his fair share of scrapes with Liverpool, is claimed to be keen on the centre-back and could deal a blow to the Reds in the process.

It remains to be seen whether the battle will heat up with concrete offers in the coming weeks, but Iraola’s side may need to start positioning themselves for a move to get a deal done quickly.

Liverpool Defender Priority

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Liverpool have a balancing act that comes with their business in the summer transfer window, as they must weigh up the need to improve the squad for this coming season, as well as looking beyond the campaign to the future.

As it stands, the need for a defender is further down in the pecking order, with sufficient depth within the team for at least next season.

The forward ranks remain the most pressing concern, as talks continue to sign Yan Diomande for the right wing, while interest persists over other options up front.

Then attention could switch to the midfield, with interest in Alex Scott among other players such as Adam Wharton for the centre of the pitch.

Only once those areas are sorted should Liverpool look to fix the centre-back position, adding a long-term option to replace Van Dijk at the end of his deal, with the quality to do so almost immediately.

It remains to be seen whether that possibility will come about, given the funds required for stars such as Schlotterbeck, on top of the other signings.

Arsenal have been hit with a record asking price as they look to add yet another top midfielder to their crop this summer. The Gunners are coming off an impressive season that saw them win the Premier League title and come within a whisker of the Champions League title.

Mikel Arteta knows his side need to improve a little to catch PSG, who clearly the best team in the world at this stage, but it is a fine balance of not disrupting an already successful team too much.

Arteta is going to want a left-winger, while depth is likely to be added up top and in the middle to anticipate possible exits like Gabriel Jesus or Christian Norgaard.

Bouaddi price tag emerges

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One potential option for Arsenal is Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who has emerged as one of the most talented young midfielders in the game. The 18-year-old made 42 appearances across all competitions in the season just gone, and he never looked out of place at senior level.

Bouaddi has even won a call-up to the World Cup with Morocco this summer, and he started their opening game, which was a draw with Brazil. That Morocco team is an impressive one, too.

The combination of Bouaddi’s season and the World Cup is likely to cause the perfect storm for Lille, who could cash in this summer. According to TeamTalk, Lille actually want a world-record fee of £60million, which would be the most expensive fee ever paid for an 18-year-old should someone pay it.

Champions League finalists Arsenal and PSG are said to be the most interested clubs, and they are not dissuaded by the price tag.

Bouaddi’s rapid rise

Arsenal must carefully consider whether they want to pay £60million for Bouaddi given the depth they have in their squad, and with the depth they already have in midfield given Mikel Merino will be fully fit next season. They have bigger needs elsewhere, but if they can afford to pay big for an exciting player like Bouaddi, they may see a massive payoff in the next couple of years should he reach his potential.

The Gunners do need to sign younger to avoid massive fees, but in Bouaddi’s case, there is no real saving due to the money being asked for.

But Bouaddi may be worth the money, and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was the latest to be impressed by the youngster. He said after his World Cup debut: “At 18 years old, in his first World Cup experience, Ayyoub Bouaddi went up against Brazil and cooked their midfield like it was a Sunday kitchen session, Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães were chasing shadows most of the game. Before the World Cup ends, I believe top clubs will be lining up for his signature, because you don’t see that kind of control from someone his age, especially on that stage.”

Liverpool’s push to improve the squad in the summer transfer window has seen the club target young, exciting stars across several key positions.

The work began as early as January, when sealing a move for Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, with the 20-year-old defender set to join next month on a long-term contract.

Since then, Liverpool have stepped up interest in Yan Diomande, with the RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast star showing plenty of reasons to justify his price tag of over £100 million.

Plenty of Liverpool fans are excited about the prospect of the 19-year-old moving to Anfield and taking over from Mohamed Salah on the right flank, outlining him as one of the biggest talents for the future.

However, the Reds also seem to be pushing for a star who could be an even more exciting talent for the here and now, as well as the future.

Liverpool Push To Sign Ayyoub Bouaddi

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Liverpool’s push to rebuild the team filled with promising youngsters for the future continues, as links have emerged over a deal to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from LOSC Lille.

Reports have claimed that meetings have already been held over a possible deal to sign the 18-year-old, following his recent World Cup display for Morocco against Brazil.

There is clearly some excitement surrounding Bouaddi, as Arsenal are also credited with interest in the midfielder as a potential option for the summer transfer window.

For Liverpool, it’s a deal that makes sense in keeping with signing players with plenty of potential, while improving the current options available to Andoni Iraola.

While Diomande is certainly an exciting prospect, perhaps Bouaddi brings a little more certainty with how well his style of play may translate to the Premier League.

Ligue Un is a physically similar division to England, suggesting he can stand up to the challenge, while he already has nearly 100 appearances in senior football for Lille.

There is a mixture of experience and fearlessness that is rare in a youngster, showcasing his talent to build up from the midfield when needed.

If Liverpool get a deal over the line, then Bouaddi could be the future of the midfield for the next decade.

What Bouaddi Said About His Future

Liverpool are waiting to hear if they can land Bouaddi, as the race heats up to secure the midfielder as an impressive option at the heart of midfield.

The Reds are battling several teams, but it seems as though they will need to hold on until after Morocco’s World Cup campaign comes to an end for a response.

Speaking to The Athletic after his display for the national team against Brazil, he said on his future: “For the moment, I am only focused on the World Cup and I cannot answer to this right now.

“Of course, I’m really happy to know that some clubs are interested in me. But, for now, I’m only focused on the World Cup with Morocco and we will try to give everything to do our best.”

In the meantime, Liverpool also have interest in Alex Scott and Adam Wharton, with the midfield clearly viewed as an area for regeneration this summer.