Liverpool open talks to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Odilon Kossounou
Liverpool are ready to start talks with Bayer Leverkusen defender Odilon Kossounou to discuss a potential transfer to Anfield this summer, according to CaughtOffside.
The 23-year-old has been instrumental for Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, featuring in 22 games in Xabi Alonso's historic unseen campaign. His actions have provoked an offer to renew his contract, but CnothingOffside informs that the defender is currently not responding to the offer.
The report says Liverpool are now “leading the race” for the Ivory Coast international with 21 caps, which is also of great interest to players such as manchester united, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich and real Madrid.
Kossounou has a contract at BayArena until 2026 and the club is in no rush to sell the player. However, an offer of around €60m (£51m) could seal the deal and Liverpool are expected to intensify their talks for the defender in the coming weeks, according to the report.
Liverpool intensify talks with Kossounou
Liverpool are already looking to strengthen their squad for the 2024-25 season and one of the areas they are looking to strengthen is their defense.
The departure of Joel Matip means that Jarell Quansah, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate are the only recognizable centre-backs in the squad. With first division, Champions League and domestic cup competitions to play for, adding depth, especially in the backline, is high on the Reds' agenda.
Liverpool have stepped up their efforts to sign Kossounou after undertaking extensive scouting missions on the defender in recent months.
The Ivorian has impressed in the Bundesliga since arriving from Club Brugge in 2021. His stellar performances also helped his country clinch the African Cup of Nations in February.
With a height of 1.91 m, Kossounou is dominant in the air and at the same time is fast, strong and aggressive in ground duels. The defender possesses a combination of ball-playing ability and defensive solidity, which makes him highly sought after by the best European clubs.
With Liverpool already increasing their interest, it remains to be seen whether the Reds will match Leverkusen's €60m (£51m) demands or negotiate a cut-price deal, but that could be difficult given the level of interest from other clubs.
