Liverpool contact over Eredivisie defender confirmed by agent

Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain have been confirmed as two clubs to have made contact with representatives of Feyenoord and Slovakia defender David Hancko.

The centre-back swapped Sparta Prague for Feyenoord in 2022 and immediately helped the club win only their second Eredivisie title this century. But bigger sides have already started to be linked with the 26-year-old, who previously had an unsuccessful stint at Fiorentina earlier in his career.

Speaking to Czech outlet TN, agent Branislav Jasurek appeared to confirm recent transfer gossip about Liverpool and PSG interest when he revealed that both clubs have been in touch.

"As an agency, we are in contact not only with these two clubs, but also with others who are looking into David's situation," Jasurek explained.

But a transfer during current window appears unlikely, with Hancko committed to Feyenoord in the short-term but more likely to be sold during the summer.

"I estimate that 80-90% David will stay in Rotterdam, because Feyenoord is fighting for the Champions League and the people at Feyenoord know that David Hancko will be sold even in the summer and maybe better than now," the player's agent continued.

"It would have to be one of the big clubs. He will certainly not go from Feyenoord, which is going to play in the Champions League [next season], to a club that will play in the bottom half of the Premier League. If he transfers, it will definitely be great because he will transfer to a big club. But even if he doesn't transfer, I think that David is happy in Rotterdam."

Having focused on midfield rebuilding in 2023, Liverpool are in the market for central defenders now. Goncalo Inacio, Piero Hincapie, Nico Schlotterbeck and Arthur Theate have all been scouted by the Reds. Lucas Beraldo was also on that list before he joined PSG. Joel Matip's season-ending ACL injury had additionally raised the possibility of going for Jonathan Tah, Maxence Lacroix or Jean-Clair Todibo this month instead, with the trio considered more immediately attainable.

Liverpool were also recently confirmed to be on the tail of Colombia Under-20 international Kevin Mantilla by the president of the youngster's current club, Talleres of Argentina.

Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Liverpool stopped short of signing a centre-back last summer because of the emergence of home-grown talent Jarell Quansah.

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