Report: Liverpool have taken the first step in signing a highly-rated defender who is being hailed as the new John Stones…

Liverpool have initiated talks to secure the services of a highly-rated defender who has been likened to John Stones.

The Merseyside club is in search of a central defender to bolster their squad.

Despite having decent defensive options, the departure of Joel Matip has left a gap that needs to be filled.

The latest reports suggest that Liverpool’s primary target is Lille’s Leny Yoro, who is considered an exceptional talent and could be acquired in a unique deal this transfer window.

Nevertheless, with Yoro leaning towards a move to Real Madrid, Liverpool must consider alternative options as well.

It has been reported that Liverpool is considering making some signings for their center-back position.

One potential signing is Marc Guehi, who has been linked to the club once again this week. Alternatively, they may look to bring in a different center-back who is similar to Guehi’s England partner, John Stones.

In addition to these potential signings, Liverpool has also made an enquiry about Riccardo Calafiori. The 18-year-old has great potential and could be a dream signing for the club.

However, it is important to note that while Yoro has the makings of an incredible player, he may still need some further development before he is ready to be a regular starter for Liverpool.

Despite the presence of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, it is clear that Liverpool is looking to add depth and competition to their center-back position.

The new signing would need to challenge both van Dijk and Konate, or potentially just Konate, for a place in the starting XI.

Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori emerges as a potential candidate for the task at hand. The talented centre-back had a remarkable season with Bologna, contributing significantly to their qualification for the upcoming Champions League.

Impressively, the 22-year-old made his debut for Italy in a major tournament last Saturday, earning high praise from World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta, who described his performance as ‘extraordinary’.

According to The Athletic, Liverpool has taken notice of Calafiori’s abilities and has initiated contact regarding a potential transfer for the left-footed defender.

Unsurprisingly, Liverpool is not the only club interested in Calafiori. Newcastle, Brighton, and West Ham are also reported to have expressed their interest in acquiring the talented defender.

Additionally, The Athletic published an article on Tuesday stating that Juventus is interested in reuniting Riccardo Calafiori with former Bologna boss Thiago Motta. Bayern Munich and Manchester City are also showing interest. Bologna is eager to retain Calafiori.

Riccardo Calafiori has drawn comparisons to John Stones.

It is understandable why City would want Calafiori. With Guardiola’s successful use of Stones over the past eight years, he may now be searching for the perfect successor to the English defender.

Calafiori himself believes he could be the ideal candidate to inherit Stones’ role as a ball-playing, versatile center-back.

The Roma academy graduate emphasizes, “Stones is my point of reference.

It’s not spontaneous when I transition into midfield. I’m adhering to the coach’s instructions. He envisioned me in this position.”

While this may not be a typical role for Liverpool, it could be a consideration for Arne Slot.

We believe that Calafiori could potentially be the perfect addition for the Reds. They have been searching for a left-footed player for a while now, and he is proving to be top-notch.

Someone to watch closely during Euro 2024.