Liverpool have once again been linked with swooping for Feyenoord defender David Hancko. The Slovakia international, who played under Arne Slot at the Eredivisie side has long been linked with a move to Anfield and fresh reports have emerged over a potential move this week.

CaughtOffside claims Hancko is on the radar of Anfield chiefs, with Chelsea, Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Juventus also said to be interested in the 27-year-old ahead of the summer transfer window. It is claimed the Reds are 'closely monitoring' Hancko, but 'the player himself has yet to make any kind of a decision over his future.'

It is further claimed that any move by Liverpool would likely hinge on whether Virgil van Dijk remains at Anfield, with the Dutch centre-back's current contract set to expire in the summer. Discussions over a new deal for Van Dijk are understood to be taking place with the club hopeful of tying their captain down before his current contract expires.

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But links with a move for Hancko nevertheless remain. Speaking two months ago, however, the defender himself seemingly threw cold water on any rumours he could make an imminent switch to Merseyside.

"I was in contact with the coach (Slot)," he explained - a result of him actually reaching out to his former Feyenoord boss.

"But he immediately told me that it was not possible. Liverpool have a certain transfer philosophy. Age was one issue, the other was price. Both factors were negative for me."

Atletico Madrid launched serious interest last summer with two offers rejected, unable to meet Hancko's employers' £33m asking price. With a contract through to 2028, there is little negotiation room with Slot's former club and the price they desire.

The Liverpool head coach was asked about the lack of business in the January transfer window last week, when he said: "At the moment there is not a reason to add something to the team unless you have a chance in the market. That's something we saw last time with the goalkeeper we brought in (Giorgi Mamardashvili) as we saw there was a chance in the market. For now, we are happy with the team we have."