🚨🚨BREAKING NEWS -Liverpool pick LaLiga colossus as perfect Van Dijk Back-up as price for huge January transfer emerges

Having recently confirmed his desire to remain on Merseyside and continue leading Liverpool into their new era under Arne Slot, time stands still for no man and the defender turned 33 over the summer.

Nonetheless, while Liverpool would well be wise to extend their captain’s contract, the Merseysiders are notoriously strong planners for the future, exemplified by the summer capture of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia.

Now according to Fichajes, Hughes has shown a ‘persistent interest’ in luring Bade to Anfield, with the French defender seen as the ‘ideal successor’ to Van Dijk

Nonetheless, while Liverpool would well be wise to extend their captain’s contract, the Merseysiders are notoriously strong planners for the future, exemplified by the summer capture of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia.

Now according to Fichajes, Hughes has shown a ‘persistent interest’ in luring Bade to Anfield, with the French defender seen as the ‘ideal successor’ to Van Dijk.

However, any deal for the 24-year-old will not come cheap with the former Nottingham Forest loanee recently signing a new deal with a release clause now set at €60m (£50.6m / $66.3m) and with Sevilla understood to be not willing to listen to offers below his exit fee and with competition for his services tough.

To that end, Liverpool are not alone in their pursuit of Bade, with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain also hot on his trail.

Liverpool keen to land failed former Nottingham Forest man

The new regime on Anfield have shown meticulous detail when it comes to transfer planning. While willing to wait for the right candidate to come to mind, they have also shown they are willing to pay whatever it takes once that candidate has been identified .