Report: Liverpool defender wanted by European giants

Report: Liverpool defender wanted by European giants Liverpool face pivotal final days of transfer window Premier League football has returned, but Liverpool’s summer business remains unfinished. Victor Munoz, Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo have arrived to strengthen the squad, yet attention is now turning towards the players who could leave before the September 1 transfer deadline. Kostas Tsimikas is among those whose future requires clarification. The Greece international has been a dependable member of the Liverpool squad since arriving from Olympiacos in August 2020, although his position at Anfield has become increasingly uncertain. Liverpool must now decide whether retaining an experienced and popular squad player offers greater value than accepting a suitable late bid. With Tsimikas approaching the final year of his contract, allowing the situation to drift could eventually leave the club vulnerable to losing him without receiving a fee. Juventus may be ready to offer Liverpool a solution. IMAGO | Anfield Index Juventus identify Tsimikas as possible Cambiaso replacement According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, as relayed by TuttoJuve , Juventus are considering Tsimikas as a potential replacement for Andrea Cambiaso. Cambiaso’s versatility and technical quality have attracted interest beyond Turin, forcing Juventus to assess possible alternatives. Tsimikas would provide experience, energy and delivery from wide areas, while his availability could make him a more attainable target than some of the club’s other options. No agreement has been reported, and there is no suggestion that negotiations have reached an advanced stage. Nevertheless, the connection makes sense. Juventus would be acquiring a defender accustomed to the demands of elite domestic and European competition, while Liverpool could secure a fee for a player whose long-term role appears limited. Tsimikas has never been a first-choice regular at Anfield, but that description should not be confused with insignificance. Reliable understudies are difficult to find, particularly those capable of entering high-pressure matches without requiring an extended period to adjust. That experience carries value for Juventus. It should also shape Liverpool’s asking price. Tsimikas leaves lasting mark on Merseyside Liverpool recruited Tsimikas after he established himself with Olympiacos, where he made 86 senior appearances and won the Greek Super League. Earlier loan spells with Esbjerg and Willem II helped accelerate his development before he earned his senior Greece debut in October 2018. His first Liverpool campaign was disrupted by injury and illness, limiting his opportunities after a Carabao Cup debut against Lincoln City. A first Premier League appearance followed as a substitute against Manchester City in February 2021. Greater responsibility arrived during the 2021-22 season. Tsimikas made 26 appearances as Liverpool competed across four fronts, demonstrating that he could offer more than occasional cover. His defining contribution came at Wembley, where he converted the decisive penalty against Chelsea in the FA Cup final. The Football Association’s match report records how his successful spot kick completed a 6-5 shoot-out victory. It remains one of the most memorable individual moments of his Liverpool career. Tsimikas later added another League Cup winner’s medal and was part of Liverpool’s Premier League title-winning squad in 2024-25. He made 18 league appearances during that campaign, sharing responsibilities on the left side of defence and providing important depth across a demanding season. Liverpool’s official player profile also highlights the defender’s cup successes and his lasting place in the club’s history. Transfer could suit Juventus, Tsimikas and Liverpool Sentiment will inevitably accompany any potential departure. Tsimikas has embraced Liverpool, understood his role and maintained a strong relationship with supporters despite long periods outside the starting side. Football decisions, however, are rarely governed by affection alone. Juventus could offer Tsimikas a fresh challenge at an important stage of his career, potentially giving him a clearer route to regular first-team football. Liverpool, meanwhile, must continue reshaping a squad expected to compete for major honours on several fronts. Selling an experienced defender shortly before the deadline would carry an element of risk. Injuries, suspensions and fixture congestion can quickly expose a shortage of reliable cover. Liverpool should therefore approve a transfer only if the price reflects Tsimikas’s experience and the club are satisfied with their remaining defensive options. For Juventus, the attraction is straightforward. Tsimikas is tactically disciplined, comfortable operating in an attacking system and capable of delivering dangerous crosses from the left. He also understands the scrutiny attached to representing a club expected to win every week. Liverpool do not need to force him out, but the contractual situation means a serious offer deserves consideration. What happens next may depend on Cambiaso, Juventus’s budget and whether Tsimikas believes the time has come to exchange a supporting role at Anfield for a more prominent one in Turin.