Didi Hamann urges Liverpool to make stunning transfer move for £80m Man Utd star

Liverpool have been urged to consider signing Manchester United defender Harry Maguire on a free transfer next summer by former Reds midfielder Didi Hamann.

Liverpool are expected to bolster their defensive options at the end of the season, especially with Ibrahimi Konate’s contract set to expire in the summer.

The Reds looked set to bring in Marc Guehi last summer, but saw that deal scuppered on deadline day before the Crystal Palace captain joined Manchester City earlier this month.

Even if Konate signs a new deal, Liverpool will surely dip into the market to provide more defensive cover for Arne Slot, who is woefully short of options at present after injuries to Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez.

And former Reds midfielder Hamann reckons the club would be wise to consider a budget-friendly move for Maguire, who is currently set to leave United when his contract expires this summer.

Maguire has impressed over the last fortnight, having returned to the fold under interim head coach Michael Carrick, and Hamann reckons the Englishman could provide some much-needed depth for United’s arch-rivals.

‘You’ve got to give it to Harry Maguire because he got so much stick in the last few years and he always comes back,’ Hamann told CasinoBeats.

‘If he’s available on a free then obviously have to think about it because I think what Liverpool need is more depth at the back.’

Asked about Maguire’s contract situation before last weekend’s win over Arsenal, Carrick said: ‘I think it’s just coming into that time of the season really, with contracts and, obviously, January is January and the window, so I’m kind of working my way through that and coming towards the end of the season, in terms of contracts and decisions.

‘That will obviously be taken and discussed in good time really, and at the right time.’

Elsewhere, Hamann namechecked Mickey van de Ven and Nico Schlotterbeck as two other centre-backs Liverpool should target to partner Virgil van Dijk next season.

‘Mickey van de Ven is doing really well for Spurs and there’s a player at Dortmund, Nico Schlotterbeck,’ he added.

‘He’s in talks with the club on whether he’s going to extend his contract.

‘Schlotterbeck has really taken on a leading role at Dortmund in the last 18 months. He is probably our best centre-back in the national team. He’ll certainly play at the World Cup for Germany.

‘He’d be a player. He’s got one year left on the contract. I’m sure that Liverpool inquired about him. He wouldn’t be the worst choice. He’s a left-footed player as well.’

Reports have already suggested that Liverpool are ‘developing a keen interest’ in Van de Ven, who has been one of few bright sparks for Tottenham under Thomas Frank this season.

But the north London club are said to be holding out for a record £100million fee for the Dutch defender, who is under contract at Spurs until 2029.

Asked about interest in Van de Ven last week, Frank said: ‘He’s definitely a player we should prioritise. Micky is a key player for this team and this club and hopefully for many years to come.

‘He has what it takes to be an even better player and I’ve no doubt he can help us to get us to where we want to be in the future.’

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