Report: Liverpool learn surprising asking price for potential Virgil van Dijk replacement

Liverpool could sign Sevilla centre-back Loic Bade to replace Virgil van Dijk for as little as €20m (£16.7m), a report has revealed.

Van Dijk, who turned 33 this past summer, is approaching the final six months of his contract at Anfield, and while the status of his negotiations over an extension remain a mystery, it is clear he is in the twilight of his time with the club.

Sevilla's Bade has been touted as a possible replacement for Van Dijk. The 24-year-old, who failed to make an appearance during a loan with Nottingham Forest in the 2022/23 season, has impressed since making the switch to Spain and is being earmarked for a big move elsewhere.

Mundo Deportivo state Sevilla would listed to offers of around €20m for Bade, largely because of the club's dire financial situation.

This is the first time a potential figure has been suggested for Liverpool, but it is not the first mention of Sevilla's willingness to agree to a cut-price deal.

Indeed, AS reported last month that Sevilla see Bade as the most valuable asset in the squad and tried to sell him for around €20m in the summer. Bade rejected a move to Stuttgart, before a late offer from Roma was turned down as it did not give Sevilla enough time to sign a replacement.

Sevilla responded by extending Bade's contract until 2029, raising his release clause from €42m (£35m) to €60m (£50m), but they are still open to selling for "considerably less".

Bade's impressive form saw him handed a maiden call-up to the France squad for the October international break, although he failed to make it off the bench in victories over Israel and Belgium.

READ THE LATEST LIVERPOOL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP