Liverpool 'identify' replacement for key star at knockdown price as Arne Slot 'eyes' deal

Liverpool are reportedly interested in 22-year-old French left-back Adrien Truffert, who could eventually replace Andy Robertson.

Liverpool 'identify' replacement for key star at knockdown price as Arne Slot 'eyes' deal

Arne Slot's reign at Anfield got off to the perfect start in the Premier League on Saturday as they beat newly-promoted Ipswich 2-0. However, the transfer market hasn't proved quite so easy for the Dutchman.

The Reds haven't brought anyone in this summer, missing out on the likes of Anthony Gordon and Martin Zubimendi. It now appears they are in the market for Truffert, who excelled at the Paris Olympics and could provide the perfect understudy for Robertson, while not costing as much as previous failed targets.

According to L'Equipe, the Reds - alongside fellow Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Manchester United - are all interested in securing the young Frenchman's services.

Truffert graduated from his current club Rennes' academy, and is one of the country's premier defensive prospects. At just 22, he's played over 150 times for his boyhood club, contributing 21 assists in the meantime.

The youngster is currently valued at around £15.3m but, given his age and the fact that his contract doesn't expire until 2026, any fee paid for Truffert could rise higher.

PSG, who have recently signed Truffert's starlet of a team-mate and fellow Olympian Desire Doue, reportedly held an interest in the defender and could return for him on the back of Lucas Hernandez's injury.

The French champions identified Truffert as a target prior to the Paris Olympics, but playing under Thierry Henry at the Games only highlighted the youngster's talent to the rest of Europe and beyond.

Truffert was a standout player for Les Bleus, commandingly shoring up the left side of the field while also marauding forward, much like Robertson, the man he could potentially replace or deputise for.

While current backup Kostas Tsimikas signed a new long-term deal at the club last September, he is 28. Like Robertson, will need someone younger to either take over or act as a stand-in.

Robertson hasn't been rocked by any rumours of potential arrival at left-back, though, instead choosing to be excited by Slot's arrival and what the future may hold for Liverpool.

"Look, I've not really given it much thought," Robertson told Sky Sports prior to Euro 2024 when discussing his Anfield future. "Obviously, I'll now try and switch off physically, mentally, like I always try and do.

"Then, it will be full focus on the new era at Liverpool and trying to get off to the best possible start, helping in every way possible to make that successful for him as well.

"I've got no doubts that we can keep that momentum going, and from all the reports we've had, the manager is very good, and I can't wait to see that up close.

"You have to be open-minded because the last eight or nine years were pretty special, and we just knew the way it was going. All other clubs were changing managers and things like that but we knew what we had and what we were going to get. And now, they're going a bit into the unknown from the fans' point of view, but it has to be exciting."

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