Assessing Liverpool's five-man defender transfer shortlist - including Man Utd, Spurs, and Newcastle targets

Arne Slot has landed. After weeks of anticipation, the new Liverpool manager has finally been fitted for his club tracksuit, has sat down to fulfil his in-house media duties, and has officially been unveiled as the Reds’ successor to Jurgen Klopp.

The Dutchman faces an unenviable task. Nobody at Anfield wanted Klopp to leave, but now that he has gone, Slot will have a mountainous slog ahead of him as he aims to match, and perhaps even eclipse, the German’s incredible success on Merseyside. Thankfully, he is expected to have a fair amount of backing from his board.

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool transfer chiefs are already considering signing two new centre-backs to bolster Slot’s squad this summer, and have drawn up a five-man shortlist to that effect. On that list are Leny Yoro, Goncalo Inacio, Riccardo Calafiori, Marc Guehi, and Jean-Clair Todibo - all available at different price points and all understood to be very much in demand. But who are the Reds most likely to sign, and what would they bring to Slot’s project? We’ve taken a closer look below...

Leny Yoro

Yoro is a French sensation currently on the books at Ligue 1 outfit Lille. Attracting interest from all across Europe, it is understood that Liverpool’s bitter rivals Manchester United have already tabled a bid of around £51 million for the teenager - although in recent days, reports have distanced the Red Devils from a prospective transfer. Indeed, the biggest issue Liverpool might face is the lurking presence of Real Madrid, who Yoro is said to regard as his preferred destination. Nevertheless, if the Reds could somehow land the centre-back, they would be securing themselves a huge, huge talent with a staggeringly high ceiling of potential.

Goncalo Inacio

Described by Caught Offside as Liverpool’s priority target, Inacio is a 22-year-old Portuguese international plying his trade at Sporting CP. As far back as last summer, the Reds were being linked with the defender, who is said to have a release clause of around £38 million written into his contract in Lisbon. After having fended off interest in their prized asset in January, it is suggested that Sporting may be forced into a sale over the coming weeks, and if they do, Liverpool feel like the most likely candidate to prise him away.

Riccardo Calafiori

An achingly cool Italian defender currently turning heads at Euro 2024, Calafiori is expected to be highly sought after this summer. Having helped Bologna qualify for the Champions League for the first time in six decades, the 22-year-old is said to be on the radar of Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and Juventus - among others - but Liverpool could also look to make a move for the £42 million star.

Marc Guehi

Thrust into an unexpected position of prominence following Harry Maguire’s injury woes in the buildup to Euro 2024, Liverpool are expected to use Guehi’s time with the England squad to cast an eye over him and assess whether or not he is worth a summer pursuit. Easily one of Crystal Palace’s most impressive performers in recent times, the 23-year-old feels destined for a move to a top six club sooner rather than later.

Jean-Clair Todibo

And finally, Todibo has been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham in recent months, but could find himself on his way to Anfield instead. Widely expected to leave OGC Nice this summer, the 24-year-old would represent a more experienced option than some on this list, but is still only entering the prime of his career, and could be a very savvy acquisition. What’s more, with reports suggesting that he could be available for as little as £21 million, the Frenchman would be a cheaper option than most too.