Liverpool are reportedly planning to test Chelsea's resolve with an offer for defender Levi Colwill.
The centre-back has long been regarded as one of the top academy players at Stamford Bridge, something which has since been proven during two loan spells.
After starring in a Huddersfield Town side that almost earned promotion to the Premier League in 2021-22, the 20-year-old had a similar impact at Brighton & Hove Albion last season as the Seagulls finished in sixth place in the top flight.
Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino are now keen to hand Colwill a key role in their first-team squad, despite the youngster having never played a minute in the Blues senior ranks.
Owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are eager to hand a new long-term contract to Colwill, yet he wishes to wait to discover his role in the team before contemplating committing his future to the West Londoners.
© Reuters
At a time when Colwill has just featured in an England Under-21s side that won the European Championship without conceding a goal, interest is naturally building in his signature with less than two years remaining on his existing terms.
Brighton are eager to secure a permanent deal for Colwill, the Seagulls failing with a bid allegedly in the region of £40m, but it appears that one of Chelsea's other rivals could be about to join the race.
According to 90min, Liverpool are ready to lodge a formal proposal for Colwill to tempt him away from the capital.
The Merseyside giants are said to have confidence that they can secure Colwill's signature, despite the level of bid that it would cost to sign him before the end of August.
© Reuters
Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are currently Jurgen Klopp's four centre-backs, but the latter two are available for transfer for the right price.
Netherlands international Van Dijk has also just turned 32 years of age, resulting in Klopp needing to assess younger alternatives as an eventual like-for-like replacement.
Although the report adds that Colwill is yet to be convinced that he should sign a lengthy contract at Chelsea, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool can afford to complete a deal this summer.
Klopp has already acquired Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for a combined fee of in the region of £100m, while another central midfielder is expected to follow.
That could particularly ring true after a report on Wednesday night suggested that Jordan Henderson is ready to accept an offer to move to Saudi Arabia.
Darren Plant
