Liverpool was always going to be linked with a variety of players in the January window, with Bologna's Sam Beukema just the latest one. And he has had plenty to say about the Reds and Arne Slot in the past.

"I also have ambitions and hope one day to be able to play maybe in the Premier League or another big club," he shared with Corriere dello Sport in October. "I was a fan of West Ham. I once visited Upton Park with my father and I was really impressed.

"The atmosphere was similar to that of Feyenoord or Go Ahead Eagles. But there are so many fantastic teams in England, so if another great club like Liverpool came along I would be happy to go there one day."

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According to 1000 Cuori Rossoblu, Liverpool is keen on Beukema. The Italian outlet has even claimed that the Reds have seen an offer turned down for the defender.

He spoke to Cronache di Spogliatoio in November, too, about Slot and his relationship with the Liverpool boss, revealing that he wanted the center-back during his time at Feyenoord.

"Slot messaged me, asking if I wanted to meet," Beukema said. "Feyenoord is my childhood club, and I knew he’d be their next coach. After our talk, I thought, 'Yes, I want to join'. But it wasn’t my head, it was my heart."

"He’s a phenomenal coach," Beukema continued. "I remember him showing me a video from my time at Go Ahead Eagles, highlighting a chaotic play where 1 had the ball in midfield but didn’t know what to do.

"He told me, 'You’re great at playing from the back, but in crowded situations, you lack composure'. That really stuck with me — l’d never considered it before.

"In my opinion, he’s one of the best coaches in the Netherlands and Europe. After our Champions League game against Liverpool, he praised me and the team, saying, ‘It’s incredible that we ‘re competing at this level."

Liverpool.com says: No matter how good a player Beukema is, at 26, he is probably not the right age to be a top target for Liverpool. The chances of him ending up at Anfield seem slim, as much as he might be keen on the move.