Liverpool take first steps towards move for Newcastle star

Liverpool have reportedly taken the first steps towards a move for a Newcastle United star. A blockbuster deal on the way?

Liverpool are already planning ahead in their transfer plans. The Reds may only just have come out of the summer window but it’s plain to all that work needs to be done.

And that’s despite Richard Hughes leaving as sporting director. He’s joined Al-Hilal, leaving Liverpool short and lacking on a proper overseer right now. Still, those who remain have got to figure out the January strategy.

That’s not simple. Liverpool need players all over the place, with long-term doubts at centre-back, right-back, left-back, goalkeeper, centre-midfield, and on the right wing.

Centre-back is a particularly notable one. Liverpool have five options in their senior squad but only two of those have contracts beyond this season.

It means the club need to figure out their long-term future there. And potentially name a successor to Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool eye Malick Thiaw

Caught Offside claims Liverpool have a name in mind: Malick Thiaw. They're now monitoring the Newcastle United man as they weigh up a potential move next year.

Phase one ahead of a deal is underway, then. They'll start keeping tabs and, we imagine, have notified his agents that they're after more information.

Thiaw only joined Newcastle from AC Milan a year ago but he's become a proper regular for them. In fact, he's one of the more well-rounded centre-backs in the Premier League right now.

Naturally, that creates a problem as Thiaw wouldn't be cheap. He'd be very, very expensive, in fact, and we know Newcastle are completely against the idea of selling players to Liverpool right now.

But it's one to keep an eye out for. Liverpool will potentially need to replace Van Dijk, after all, and that will take an awful lot of money.