Liverpool have shown interest in Napoli centre-back Nikola Maksimovic, according to talkSPORT presenter Jim White.
The journalist says he spoke to the Serie A club’s owner Aurelio De Laurentiis who said the Reds have considered signing the Serbian international in the past:
“He [De Laurentiis] then says to me ‘I thought you were going to refer to our defender Nikola Maksimovic, the Serbian who is 29 years of age, and Liverpool’s previous interest in him.’ So I said ‘are Liverpool still interested in your defender?’ He interrupted me to say of course with injury problems to Gomez and Van Dijk but no they haven’t heard from them of late.”
With Maksimovic’s contract expiring in the summer, the 29-year-old would be available relatively cheaply this month but supporters on Twitter are sceptical about there being any genuine interest in the defender:
Makes no sense
— Sam (@sxmlfc_) January 12, 2021
So a bosman transfer for someone we need now ? hey @sscnapoli any chance of an cheap deal now
— Chapperz (@Chapperz_7) January 12, 2021
Translation. BREAKING:
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed he’s touting Maksimović to Liverpool as he’s a CB but he hasn’t heard anything really.
— Red_Heathen (@TattooedHeathen) January 12, 2021
when’s the last time Jim white got something right? all he does is wear a yellow tie on deadline day
— “VIRGIL” (@VeryVirgil) January 12, 2021
Definitely sounds legit. If I was to only tell one person, it would be Jim White too.
— NotTøøXabí (@Keenan1892) January 13, 2021
Wrong Napoli cantreback to enquire about!!!!
— Rob lawlor (@socksandsly) January 13, 2021
Probably available for a low fee and would replace Lovren as 4th choice.. We don't need a 100m CB right now, just someone to get us over this hump. Matip then needs to be replaced in the summer with a top CB to come in and partner Virg. VVD Kounde Gomez Maksimovic would be fire.
— **CAPTAIN MOUSTACHE AND HIS MAGIC FLUTE (@MoustacheHis) January 12, 2021
There is every possibility that De Laurentiis is simply trying to drum up interest in a player he knows could leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Maksimovic could be a classed a short-term solution but, considering Liverpool’s transfer policy of signing long term targets, it would be a big surprise if they were even thinking about the Serbian.
As things stand, it does look as though the Reds will head into the second half of the campaign without strengthening the centre of defence.
