Sky Sports Reporter: Liverpool interested in move for Premier League defender

Sky Sports Reporter: Liverpool interested in move for Premier League defender Liverpool tracking Luka Vuskovic as centre-back plans gather pace Liverpool’s recruitment planning is already stretching well beyond the immediate window, with defensive reshaping emerging as a live theme under Andoni Iraola. The early weeks of his tenure have brought encouragement in results, but the numbers at the back suggest why centre-back discussion is accelerating ahead of summer 2027. The headline update, first reported by Florian Plettenberg, is that Brighton defender Luka Vuskovic has been added to Liverpool’s shortlist. The 19-year-old is being monitored closely, with Brighton understood to value him at around €100 million. Plettenberg wrote on X: “Liverpool have Luka Vuskovic on their shortlist for next summer. The 19 y/o top defender is being monitored regularly. #LFC. “His contract at Brighton is valid until 2031. No release clause will be available next summer. Current price valuation: around €100m (+/-). Vuskovic is very happy under Fabian Hürzeler. However, his dream is to join Real Madrid one day.” Defensive rebuild taking shape Liverpool have been competitive under Iraola, winning 10 of his first 16 matches in all competitions, yet the clean sheet return remains modest. Four shutouts and too many games with multiple concessions point to a side still searching for full control. That helps explain why succession planning in defence has become a priority, particularly with long-term leadership questions in that area. Vuskovic fits the profile of a modern elite target, young, highly rated, already tested at senior level and carrying substantial resale upside. His rise has been rapid. After Tottenham signed him from Hajduk Split in 2025 and sent him on loan to Hamburg, he enhanced his reputation in Germany before a quick permanent move elsewhere. Brighton then moved decisively, paying a club-record fee to bring him in, and he has started to repay that faith with assured Premier League performances. Brighton stance raises cost of any deal From Liverpool’s perspective, this is the kind of situation that demands patience and clarity. Brighton are under no pressure to sell, the player is contracted until 2031, and there is no release clause to simplify negotiations. In practical terms, that means any move would likely require a major outlay and a compelling project presentation. Liverpool do have alternatives in mind. Ronald Araujo remains a relevant option given the reported ability to make his move permanent for €55 million, with his versatility across central defence and right-back offering an obvious attraction. Yet Vuskovic appears to represent something slightly different, a premium long-term investment with the ceiling to anchor a back line for years. Our View This is the sort of link that immediately grabs attention because it feels credible on multiple levels. Liverpool clearly need to think about the next defensive cycle, and targeting one of Europe’s most highly regarded young centre-backs makes complete sense. The concern, of course, is the price. €100 million for a teenager, even one this gifted, is huge money and would place enormous pressure on both club and player from day one. There is also the Brighton factor. They are brilliant at buying early, developing smartly and selling only on their terms. If Liverpool truly want Vuskovic, this would not be a quick or simple negotiation. It would be a drawn-out process, probably one that depends on how urgently the squad needs a starter rather than a project. What makes this especially intriguing is the wider balance of Liverpool’s squad build. If Iraola wants more aggression in midfield and more certainty in defence, the club may have to choose where the biggest spend goes. Vuskovic looks like a statement signing, but Araujo at a lower fee might feel more practical if flexibility is valued. Still, there is something exciting about Liverpool being linked with a defender of this calibre this early. It suggests forward planning, ambition and an acceptance that the next great side needs foundations laid well in advance. Whether this one becomes real or stays on the shortlist, it feels like an important signal of where attention is heading.