---
title: "Top journalist: If Liverpool can’t sign van Dijk, they should target this £25.5m-rated defender"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/top-journalist-if-liverpool-cant-sign-van-dijk-they-should-target-this-25-5m-rated-defender/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "George McGibbon"
section: "Liverpool Football Club"
published: "2017-07-01T07:30:33Z"
modified: "2017-07-02T22:52:37Z"
---

# Top journalist: If Liverpool can’t sign van Dijk, they should target this £25.5m-rated defender

***The Liverpool fans in the Transfer Tavern were delighted when [reports](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/06/05/virgil-van-dijk-wants-move-liverpool-summer/) emerged suggesting that the Reds were the frontrunners for the signature of Virgil van Dijk this summer…***

However, so much has changed since that point. Eventually forced into an [apology](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/announcements/265720-liverpool-fc-statement) for their courting of the player, a move for van Dijk now seems very unlikely indeed – forcing Jurgen Klopp back to the drawing board as he looks to improve his defensive line.

There are a number of options for Liverpool this summer as they look to move on from the prospect of van Dijk, though, and Liverpool journalist James Pearce has [had his say](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/lfc-reporter-james-pearce-van-13258270) on the matter. [Speaking to the Liverpool Echo](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/lfc-reporter-james-pearce-van-13258270), Pearce has suggested that the Reds should move for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly instead of the Dutchman, with the Napoli centre-half impressing over the last few years.

[Rated at £25.50 million by Transfer Markt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalidou-koulibaly/profil/spieler/93128), Koulibaly has been a standout figure in Serie A as of late, offering powerful, dominant defensive displays for a Napoli side that has remained competitive in Italy.

Of course, the main difference between him and van Dijk is his lack of Premier League experience, but what he lacks in that area he more than makes up for with his quality on the field.

At 26-years-old, he is a player in the prime of his career, and whilst a move will likely take Liverpool beyond the £25.5 million [rating](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalidou-koulibaly/profil/spieler/93128), our landlord thinks that he would be worth every penny.