Liverpool's Van Dijk replacement deemed 'not expensive'

Liverpool have been told that Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch could be relatively affordable next summer as they step up their search for a long-term replacement for captain Virgil van Dijk.

The Netherlands international is out of contract next summer. Although Van Dijk remains one of Liverpool's key players, there has been an understandable decline in his performance levels.

Despite this, Liverpool are reportedly interested in handing their defensive leader another extension, but there is an awareness that they need to start thinking about life after Van Dijk. After all, the towering centre-back turns 36 next year.

Some moves for the future have already been made. Jeremy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni and Ifeanyi Ndukwe all look like hugely exciting talents. However, the Reds remain in the market for more centre-back reinforcements.

Van Dijk isn't the only player who could be on the move before long, with Joe Gomez also facing question marks over his future. He, too, is out of contract in the summer and has been actively exploring his options since 2024, when he wanted to leave the club.

Liverpool are being linked with several defenders, and one name that has frequently cropped up in recent weeks is Finn Jeltsch, one of the most highly-rated youngsters in the Bundesliga. The Stuttgart ace is currently part of Jurgen Klopp's senior Germany setup.

Last month, FootballTransfers explained that the 20-year-old has the raw potential to become a player of the level of Van Dijk at his peak. Obviously, though, he is not yet anywhere near that level given his youth.

Despite his call-up by Klopp, Jeltsch is currently in a bit of a slump. Stuttgart have had a disappointing season to date, and the youngster has made some mistakes. Consequently, he has only been a substitute in recent games.

This is nothing out of the ordinary for a young player, though, and he remains a hugely exciting talent. Liverpool, for their part, are closely following his development, BILD journalist Christian Falk has confirmed.

"All the top clubs, including Bayern Munich, are scouting him," Falk explained. "He was in the squad for Klopp first as a backup at right-back. Then one of the central defenders became injured, and now he’s also the backup at centre-back.

"This shows he can play many positions, and everyone can see the 20-year-old’s potential. Such players really are a present to everyone. Jeltsch is young, talented and can play many positions, and he’s not so expensive! Bayern Munich have an eye on him."

Intriguingly, Falk is not convinced that the 20-year-old will necessarily end up in the Premier League next summer, despite having no shortage of English suitors. "He’s also on the list for many clubs in the Premier League," the reporter added.

"I don’t think England will be his next step. Finn Jeltsch is young and knows he can take things step-by-step. That won’t stop the scouts from coming to the stadium - including scouts from Liverpool - as they did recently."

This could be interpreted as a blow for Liverpool, but it doesn't rule out a major Premier League transfer in the future. If the Reds renew Van Dijk's deal, as seems to be their plan, they could postpone the signing of Jeltsch until 2028.

Instead of heading to England in 2027, the 20-year-old could look to make a step up from Stuttgart by signing for a club of the level of Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig or Bayer Leverkusen, where he could be a replacement for Jarell Quansah.

England star Quansah is a target for numerous Premier League sides, including his former club Liverpool, who still hold a buy-back option. If Jeltsch isn't gettable next summer, perhaps the 23-year-old could be Van Dijk's successor. Clearly, there are a lot of moving parts at this stage.

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