Arne Slot under pressure to sign Liverpool transfer target as Newcastle swoops for $51m star

Liverpool may have to intensify its reported interested in Loic Bade, with Newcastle said to be set to swoop for the Sevilla defender.

The Reds have been linked with Bade, and Spanish outlet Diario AS said that he is being considered as a possible replacement for Virgil van Dijk, who could yet leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Reds scouts were said to be in attendance for Sevilla's match against Barcelona last month, where they were keeping a close eye on Bade.

However, Football Insider says that Newcastle could move to sign Bade in the January transfer window, which could prompt Liverpool to firm up it's interest in the defender sooner rather than later.

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Sevilla is in financial difficulty and could be tempted to sell Bade, with reports suggesting a fee of betwee $40million and $50million could be enough to get a deal over the line.

Whether Liverpool moves for Bade or not could depend on the future of captain Van Dijk, who, as things stand, will be able to leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The Dutchman has been a revelation since joining the Reds from Southampton in 2018, winning all there is to win in English football, but will be 34 by the time next season starts and Liverpool does not typically hand out lengthy contracts to ageing players.

Still, Van Dijk's level shows no sign of dropping any time soon and negotiations over a renewal are taking place. Van Dijk said last month: "I can say obviously discussions are ongoing, but I don't know, we will see what happens in the future. My full focus is on Liverpool, wanting to win games that are ahead of me and nothing else.

"What the future will bring I have no idea at the moment. I can only tell you that discussions have been started up and we will see. I feel very good, physically, mentally and I am having fun. What the future brings I have no idea at the moment, but like I said in my previous answer, discussions are ongoing with the right people and when it's time to make a decision or whatever, I think you guys [the media] will know it as well.

"But now full commitment and focus is on Liverpool and to be successful this season. So we will see."