Liverpool have reportedly identified Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong as a potential summer transfer target.
Arne Slot is currently enjoying an outstanding first campaign at Anfield, Liverpool sitting seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
That advantage can be extended to 10 points with victory over Aston Villa on Wednesday night, while the treble remains a possibility given their places in the Champions League last 16 and EFL Cup final.
However, with there already being the possibility of three departures on free transfers during the next transfer window, Slot and the club's recruitment team will already be assessing their options in the market.
According to TEAMtalk, De Jong is viewed as a player who could strengthen the squad ahead of 2025-26.
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What is De Jong's situation at Barcelona?
The Netherlands international is becoming an increasingly influential figure under Hansi Flick, now having nine starts and 15 substitute outings to his name this season.
Nevertheless, despite now making 237 appearances for the Catalan giants since his 2019 arrival, De Jong has been regularly linked with a transfer elsewhere.
That has largely been a consequence of Barcelona's prolonged perilous position with the relevant financial regulations, the 27-year-old having previously renegotiated his contract to help the club with that situation.
De Jong has reached a point where his existing deal is due to expire in 2026 and he would allegedly need to take a pay cut to extend his terms.
As such, it is claimed that Barcelona would be willing to cash in on De Jong for €35m (£29m) if he does not pen a new contract.
Barcelona chiefs are said to be hopeful that De Jong will have committed his future to the club before the end of the season.
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Do Liverpool need De Jong?
Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are the cemented central three for Liverpool this season.
Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo are also viewed as reliable alternatives, but the latter could plausibly leave Anfield in the summer given his lack of game time.
That would free up a space for De Jong to make the switch to Merseyside, albeit bringing different qualities to the squad than Endo does.
Although De Jong has endured ankle issues over the past year, it may be deemed that an opportunity to add him to the squad is too good to turn down, providing that he does not agree new terms with Barcelona.
Darren Plant
