Liverpool transfers: €60m deal for midfielder still possible as journalist reveals how move can happen

Liverpool are once again standing at a familiar crossroads. A club that just months ago lifted the Premier League title now finds itself quietly planning for the future, knowing very well that success today does not protect you tomorrow. The celebrations from last season have faded, the medals have been stored away, and the reality of squad building has returned. At Anfield, nothing stands still for long. If you hesitate, you fall behind. That is the lesson Liverpool have learned again and again in recent years.

The summer of 2025 was one of the most dramatic transfer windows in Liverpool’s long history. Money flowed in ways that shocked even their own supporters. Over £400 million was spent as the club decided to completely reshape a title-winning team rather than slowly patch it up. It was bold, aggressive, and risky. Alexander Isak arrived with huge expectations on his shoulders. Florian Wirtz followed, bringing creativity, flair, and the promise of a new era. Around them came players meant to refresh energy, intensity, and tactical flexibility across the pitch

In defence, Liverpool also acted early. Milos Kerkez was signed to add aggression and balance on the left side, while Jeremie Frimpong arrived as a dynamic right-sided option who could stretch games and create overloads. These signings were about evolution rather than repair. Liverpool wanted defenders who could attack, defenders who could run, defenders who could fit the modern game. But football rarely follows a perfect plan.

While the focus was on exciting arrivals and big-money headlines, Liverpool’s central defence quietly became an area of concern. Virgil van Dijk remains the leader, the symbol, and the voice at the back, but time does not stop for anyone. Ibrahima Konate is powerful and dominant on his day, yet injuries have never fully left him alone. Joe Gomez is reliable and experienced, but he cannot carry the burden alone across four competitions

The club believed they had prepared for this. Giovanni Leoni, a highly-rated young Italian centre-back, was brought in from Parma with long-term potential in mind. He was not expected to start every week, but he was meant to grow, learn, and offer depth. Instead, cruel luck intervened. A serious injury early in the season ruled him out, stripping Liverpool of a key option before he had even settled. Suddenly, the numbers did not look comfortable anymore.

Liverpool tried to act fast at the end of the summer window. Marc Guehi became the target. Talks progressed, confidence grew, and the player even travelled for a medical. For a moment, it looked done. Then it collapsed. Crystal Palace pulled out late, and Liverpool were left frustrated, angry, and exposed. The window closed, and the problem remained

Now, as January approaches, Liverpool are once again scanning the market. They are not panicking, but they are alert. They know that one injury, one suspension, or one dip in form could turn a title defence into a difficult campaign. Depth matters. Trust matters. Reliability matters. This is where Jan Paul van Hecke enters the conversation.

Brighton’s rise in recent years has been built on smart recruitment, brave football, and defenders who can actually play. Van Hecke is not a flashy name. He does not dominate headlines. But week after week, he has quietly grown into a defender that bigger clubs now notice. Strong in duels, calm on the ball, and increasingly confident in his positioning, he has turned from a “solid option” into something more interesting.

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown has seen enough to believe that Liverpool are watching closely. According to him, Liverpool and Tottenham have both been monitoring Van Hecke for some time. What changed is not just Liverpool’s need, but Van Hecke’s level. Over the last season or two, his development has been clear. He is no longer just filling space. He is influencing games.

At Brighton, he has been tested in difficult moments. The club has struggled at times, results have dipped, and pressure has increased. These are the moments that reveal defenders. Anyone can look good in a dominant team. It is when things go wrong that character shows. Van Hecke has stood up during those moments, and that has not gone unnoticed.

Liverpool like defenders who can think under pressure. They want players who are comfortable receiving the ball, who do not panic when pressed, and who understand positional discipline. Van Hecke fits many of those requirements. He is not a superstar, but Liverpool’s recent history shows that they do not always need one. They need reliability, growth, and hunger.

If Brighton continue to struggle, the opportunity may appear. Brighton are smart sellers, but they are also realistic. Every club has a price. Every player has a moment where the next step feels right. Liverpool represent that next step for many.Tottenham are also interested, which adds pressure. Competition changes negotiations. Liverpool know this well. They have lost targets before because they waited too long. January is not an ideal window, but it is sometimes necessary.

At the same time, Van Hecke is not the only name being discussed.

The memory of Marc Guehi has not faded. Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock believes Guehi would still be a perfect fit. He speaks about leadership, international experience, and calmness on the ball. Guehi may not be the tallest defender, but his reading of the game compensates. His performances for England have impressed many, and his ability to step into midfield with the ball suits modern systems.

Yet there is another Palace defender who excites Warnock just as much, if not more. Maxence Lacroix. Fast, aggressive, and physically dominant, Lacroix offers something slightly different. His pace allows teams to defend higher. His strength allows him to go one-on-one against powerful forwards. In a pairing with Van Dijk, Lacroix could provide balance, energy, and recovery speed.

Warnock believes Liverpool would be happy with either option. Both offer quality. Both offer presence. Both offer solutions to different problems.

This is the reality Liverpool face now. They are not rebuilding from failure. They are adjusting from success. That is a much harder task. Every signing is judged more harshly. Every mistake feels bigger. Fans expect perfection because the club has shown it can reach that level.

Arne Slot understands this pressure. He knows his squad is strong, but also knows it is thin in certain areas. Injuries do not care about planning. Football schedules do not slow down out of kindness. One wrong decision can cost a season.

Liverpool’s January plans may not include fireworks, but they will include calculation. Whether it is Van Hecke, Guehi, Lacroix, or someone else entirely, the club knows a centre-back addition could be the difference between control and chaos.

For Van Hecke, the story is about opportunity. From being viewed as a decent defender to being watched by title challengers, his rise reflects the unpredictable beauty of football. One good season can change everything. One phone call can alter a career.

For Liverpool, the story is about staying ahead. About refusing to be comfortable. About understanding that even champions must keep moving. The coming weeks will tell us whether Liverpool act or wait. Whether Brighton resist or sell. Whether Palace finally let go of their prized assets. But one thing is certain. Liverpool are watching. And when Liverpool watch closely, moves often follow