Liverpool tied up their second signing of the summer on Friday, as Florian Wirtz put pen to paper on a five-year contract.
The Reds are steadily getting their business done, with Wirtz joining Jeremie Frimpong as a new arrival at Anfield.
Milos Kerkez is ready to join Liverpool as well, giving Arne Slot new options at right-back, left-back and in attacking midfield.
But while all three signings are incredibly welcome, there is still more work for Slot and Richard Hughes to do.
With Jarell Quansah on the verge of joining Bayer Leverkusen, it is clear that Liverpool need another centre-back.
Marc Guehi has been linked, but as Rousing The Kop revealed on Friday, Liverpool still want a young centre-back to replace Quansah. And according to journalist Lewis Steele, captain Virgil van Dijk has already made his choice for who that should be.
Photo by Ben Gal/BSR Agency/Getty ImagesVirgil van Dijk ‘absolutely adores’ Jorell Hato
Given his status as club captain and one of the best centre-backs of all-time, Liverpool would be wise to listen to Van Dijk when it comes to defensive additions.
And speaking on his YouTube channel on Friday afternoon, Steele claims that if it were up to Van Dijk, he would likely choose the Reds to sign countryman Jorrel Hato from Ajax.
“Liverpool want a young defender who can be at the club for 10 plus years and be the heir to Virgil van Dijk’s throne,” begins the reporter. “Is that man Marc Guehi? I think this is a separate conversation.
“One man who is definitely on the list is Jorrel Hato at Ajax. Is he a centre-back? Well he’s played most of his football at left-back but he can play centre-back as well, Liverpool would like that versatility. I wouldn’t fully rule them out of dipping into that market this summer or next.”
“From what I’ve been told Virgil van Dijk is a huge fan of Hato,” Steele adds.
“Good sources in Holland tell me he absolutely adores Hato and thinks he’s the best youngster to come out of Holland in a defensive sense for some years. That is one to keep an eye on, maybe this summer, maybe next.”
Liverpool in talks over Hato move
While Hato has indeed played most of his football at left-back in recent times, this may actually aid his cause in terms of joining Liverpool.
Jorrel Hato at Ajax
As RTK revealed earlier this week, Liverpool are unlikely to sell both Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas this summer. But if firm offers arrive for both, it cannot be completely ruled out yet.
In that scenario, the Reds would need some help for Kerkez, and who better than Hato?
The 19-year-old could also fill in at centre-back where needed, before gradually finding his ideal position.
Reports this week suggest Liverpool are in talks with Hato, so this is clearly one to keep track of. But whether Van Dijk will get his wish is not yet fully clear.