Liverpool strike transfer gold! Spain’s newest star to be Van Dijk replacement?

Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool are well positioned to replace legendary centre-back Virgil van Dijk at the end of the season and have been presented with another tempting option in the transfer market.

Van Dijk is out of contract at Anfield next June, and the likelihood is that the Dutchman will depart after a golden spell on Merseyside.

It is a moment that Liverpool have been preparing years for. Jarell Quansah’s sale to Bayer Leverkusen had a buy-back clause inserted in it for this eventuality, while the loan agreement struck with Barcelona for Ronald Araujo allows the Reds to sign the popular Uruguayan on a permanent basis.

But another tempting possibility is emerging at Como, where Liverpool are one of the numerous clubs keeping a close eye on the development of young centre-back Jacobo Ramon, AS reports.

Amid interest from Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid, who have a buy-back option in place, the 21-year-old has been strongly advised to consider Iraola’s side as his perfect next move.

Ramon’s outstanding performances for Cesc Fabregas’ side have been recognised by a first call-up to the Spain national team this month, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has shot up to €48.5m, reflecting the incredible rise of the young centre-back.

Recognised for his reading of the game and his technical accuracy, SciSports’ Career Advice tool shows that Liverpool are clearly his best next step.

The Reds score an impressive Club Fit score of 88, with Iraola’s side being able to offer him everything he could want from a move, from the prospect of future development to immediate game time in a system in which he can thrive.

Ramon’s potential is also considered to be huge. On the SciSkill measure, which is calculated by SciSports using hundreds of in-game data points, it is projected he could become a top-three centre-back in the world should everything go smoothly in his career.

But there’s a catch.

Just as clubs will struggle to sign Nico Paz from Como due to the grip that Real Madrid have on the player due to clauses, they will also find it difficult to get past Los Blancos for Ramon.

The Spaniards sold the centre-back to the Serie A side for just €2.5m but retained 50% of the player’s rights as well as a buy-back clause. The price that Madrid will have to pay for Jacobo is just €10m.

Paz knocked back Madrid last summer, so could Ramon do the same? It’s less likely.

The Argentine playmaker would have faced intense competition at the Bernabeu from Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler for his favoured No.10 role, so was unwilling to risk becoming a fringe player.

Ramon is less likely to have such issues. Madrid are seeking additional cover at centre-back, where Antonio Rudiger is out of contract at the end of the season, Eder Militao suffers from persistent injuries and Raul Asencio was only retained last summer due to a lack of numbers. As such, they can legitimately promise him game time.

Liverpool will have to find a way to negotiate this €10m Real Madrid problem, but if they can persuade Ramon that a switch to Anfield is in his interests, it could be the start of a new golden relationship that could rival the one Van Dijk has enjoyed.

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