Liverpool have had to make a U-turn in their pursuit of Virgil Van Dijk due to allegations of tapping up the Southampton centre-back.
Considering Van Dijk was Liverpool’s primary summer transfer target, the club’s fans will undoubtedly be disappointed at the fact that he won’t be plying his trade at Anfield come next season.
Nevertheless, there are a plethora of quality centre-backs who share broad similarities with Van Dijk – some of them even cost less than the Dutchman’s reported £60million price tag.
Here are five possible alternatives to Virgil Van Dijk:
1Kostas Manolas
Another Serie A skipper who’s been linked with a move to the Premier League is Kostas Manolas.
Roma are still a selling club as they’re yet to overthrow Juventus in the Italian top-flight. They can’t compete with the astronomical sums that Juventus are able to throw around without flinching.
Manolas has just two years left to run on his contract at Roma, and with negotiations for an extension going badly, Liverpool could acquire the 25-year-old’s services.
The Greece international is a no-nonsense defender who takes pride in thwarting attacks. He’d be a huge loss for Roma, but a great addition to Liverpool should they manage to sign him.
