KOP COL Liverpool ‘keen on Levi Colwill as they consider transfer raid on Chelsea for highly-rated defender’

Jurgen Klopp is searching for a long-term successor for Virgil van Dijk

Posted Wednesday, January 17, 2024 by Thesun.co.uk

LIVERPOOL are plotting a transfer move for Chelsea’s highly-rated Levi Colwill, according to reports.

The 20-year-old centre-half first caught the eye during his season-long loan spell in the Championship with Huddersfield Town in the 2021-22 campaign.

KOP COL Liverpool ‘keen on Levi Colwill as they consider transfer raid on Chelsea for highly-rated defender’
Liverpool are keen on signing Chelsea defender Levi Colwill Credit: Rex

After helping them to reach the play-off final, he was sent out to Brighton the following campaign in order to get Premier League experience.

Colwill took that opportunity with both hands, becoming a key man for the Seagulls as he helped them to qualify for European football for the first time.

He further enhanced his reputation with his impressive displays for England Under-21s as they secured European Championship glory during the summer.

That led to huge interest from a host of clubs, with Brighton keen to keep him on the South Coast while Liverpool were also keen.

However, incoming Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino earmarked Colwill as one of the players that he wanted to build his new-look Blues side around.

He remained at Stamford Bridge after penning a new six-year contract, which included the option of a 12-month extension, and has become a regular in West London.

However, Colwill has largely been played out of position at left-back due to a number of injury setbacks within the Chelsea squad.

And, even though the ink is barely dry on his latest deal, speculation is mounting that he could be on his way.

That is according to talkSPORT, who claims that Liverpool “retain an interest” in the now senior England international.

They state that “Chelsea’s willingness to sell Tottenham target Conor Gallagher to help stay on the right side of Premier League Profitability and Sustainability rules means they could also be vulnerable to offers for fellow academy graduate Colwill”.

Any transfer funds raised by flogging homegrown talents counts as 100 per cent profit - which would help balance the books and bolster Pochettino’s kitty for new signings.

This fresh report also adds that “Colwill was open to a move away” from the Blues but he was “convinced by Pochettino he would be a first-team regular” and stayed.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have been linked with several defenders, including one dubbed “the new Raphael Varane”, as Jurgen Klopp looks for reinforcements.

Star centre-back Virgil van Dijk turns 33 in July and the Reds are searching for a long-term successor at the back for the Dutchman.