Liverpool to land 'the next Virgil van Dijk' amid Chelsea's uncertain future: report

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp salutes the fans after the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg one match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Anfield on February 21, 2023 in Liverpool, England.
(Image credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Liverpool are poised to make a swoop for a player compared to Virgil van Dijk.

The Reds are set to make sweeping changes to their squad this summer after finding themselves off the pace in the Premier League. Likely to finish outside the top four, a pursuit for Jude Bellingham has been shelved, as Jurgen Klopp targets new recruits across the pitch. 

Liverpool have been linked with the likes of Josko Gvardiol and Antonio Silva in the search for a new left-sided centre-back – but now one target has emerged that they could take advantage of.

Josko Gvardiol wearing a protective face covering

Josko Gvardiol has been linked with Liverpool (Image credit: Getty)

According to Football Insider, Liverpool would like to take Levi Colwill from Chelsea this summer, as they look to bolster their backline. The 20-year-old can play on the left side defence as well as at full-back and has been likened to Van Dijk in the past.

Colwill has impressed in limited minutes on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion, as part of the deal that took Marc Cucurella in the opposite direction. The left-footed defender is incredibly highly-rated but may not have too much of a future in west London.

Chelsea have since signed Benoit Badiashile in Colwill's position, while financial trouble at Stamford Bridge might make outgoings inevitable this summer. 

“Chelsea may have to work harder to comply with Financial Fair Play rules, but historically they have been the most successful club when it comes to player sales,” journalist Kieran Maguire told Football Insider, suggesting that the Blues could see an exodus this summer. 

Levi Colwill of England poses for a photograph with their EE Player Of The Match Award after the International Friendly match between England U21 and Germany U21 at Bramall Lane on September 27, 2022 in Sheffield, England.

Levi Colwill is a wanted man this summer (Image credit: Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Liverpool are also interested in £70 million-rated Mason Mount, per The Liverpool Echo.

Colwill is valued at €16m by Transfermarkt

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Liverpool's failed pursuit of Jude Bellingham has led to discussion over who is to blame, with This Is Anfield writing that the fault lies with both Jurgen Klopp and ownership FSG for FourFourTwo.

The Reds are looking at a number of possible alternatives, including Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern MunichInter Milan star Nicolo BarellaBrighton midfielder Moises Caidedo and Chelsea fringe midfielder Conor Gallagher. Ex-Red Jose Enrique has questioned whether the Merseysiders even needed Bellingham, anyway.

Meanwhile, there could be significant outgoings from Anfield this summer. Mohamed Salah has apparently enquired about a move to SpainJurgen Klopp is a target for Real Madrid if Carlo Ancelotti departs and Roberto Firmino has reportedly agreed a deal with Los Blancos when his Liverpool contract expires. 

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.