Latest Liverpool transfer news and gossip as Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke has been tipped to sign for the Reds
Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney believes Liverpool could sign a Brighton defender based on their recent performances. The Reds opted not to sign any new defenders during the summer transfer window despite several rumours linking the club with new additions.
The Reds saw Joel Matip leave the club as a free agent during the summer when his contract expired. However, Liverpool chose not to sign any new centre-backs during the transfer window, leaving Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah as their four senior options in the squad.
Several central defenders were linked with a move to Liverpool, including Piero Hincapie, Jonathan Tah, Leny Yoro, Goncalo Inacio, Gleison Bremer and Marc Guehi, among others. One player who wasn’t linked was Brighton star Jan Paul van Hecke.
Van Hecke has been a regular figure in the Seagulls defence this season, playing every minute of the club’s four Premier League matches. Saturday saw Brighton held to a goalless draw with Ipswich Town to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign, where the 24-year-old played a key role in keeping the club’s second clean sheet of the season.
Deeney named Van Hecke in his Premier League team of the week for the BBC. The former Watford striker went on to claim that the defender could be set to join Liverpool in the near future.
“He’s [Van Hecke] wonderful on the ball, looks so calm and composed,” Deeney wrote for BBC Sport.
“I think he’ll be the one they end up selling next year to someone like Liverpool. He’s naturally left-footed and never looks flustered. A clean sheet for a Brighton team who keep on rolling.”
No Liverpool players were named in Deeney’s team of the week as the Reds fell to a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest. Arne Slot’s side face AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday night before hosting Bournemouth in the Premier League at the weekend.
