Liverpool have reportedly identified Lanus and Argentina left-back Julio Soler as a potential successor to Andrew Robertson.
The 19-year-old made an impression under ex-Reds boss Javier Mascherano at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, starting three matches and setting up his side's consolation goal in their opening loss to Morocco.
However, Soler was dropped for the quarter-final contest with France, although he came off the bench for the final half-hour in that 1-0 loss to the hosts before ugly scenes broke out at the end.
Prior to linking up with his country, the teenager also made an impact in the Lanus first team and has now played 36 matches for the senior side, setting up two goals in the process.
The defender has also gained continental experience in the Copa Sudamericana, providing one assist in five games as Lanus topped their group to cruise into the knockout phase of the second-tier tournament.
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Liverpool 'touch base' over Soler deal
Soler - who was born in Paraguay - remains under contract with Lanus until New Year's Eve 2026, but the South American outfit are seemingly fighting an uphill battle to retain his services.
According to The Sun, the 2005-born defender's displays have caught the eye of Liverpool, who have been in touch with Lanus to discuss the conditions of a possible deal.
The Reds supposedly believe that Soler could be a long-term replacement for the long-serving Robertson, who is now in his 30s and has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich.
An exit for the Scotsman is not expected to be on the cards this summer, though, and Arne Slot also has Kostas Tsimikas and Joe Gomez in his left-back ranks, but both men are also facing uncertain futures.
Soler will not come in and immediately oust Robertson from the first team, but the report adds that he could be slowly 'groomed' into the left-back slot, and a fee of £13m might do the trick.
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That price is certainly within Liverpool's range, but the Reds will need to launch a charm offensive to convince Soler to leave Lanus, where he would certainly earn more minutes in the coming months.
A handful of other unnamed clubs are also thought to be tracking the Argentina youth international, who apparently fits the bill in terms of what Slot is after as an attacking full-back.
How many signings could Liverpool make this summer?
Slot's first transfer window at the Liverpool helm has been an extremely uneventful one, as new sporting director Richard Hughes is prioritising the contract situations of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
As a result, the Reds are yet to make a single senior signing, but Football Insider claims that the hierarchy are optimistic of bringing three new players to the club before the window closes.
A centre-back, defensive midfielder and winger are also thought to be on Slot's agenda, while a new goalkeeper might be targeted if current number two Caoimhin Kelleher departs.
Ben Knapton
