Liverpool's Marc Guehi back-up option after missing out on two transfer targets

Liverpool's Marc Guehi back-up option after missing out on two transfer targets

Liverpool want to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi this summer, but are considering Ajax defender Jorrel Hato as a potential alternative to the England international

Liverpool are interested in a move for Marc Guehi (Image: Getty Images )

Liverpool are reportedly weighing up a move for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato as a potential alternative to Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. The Reds have been very active in the transfer market so far, with Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili all joining.

They are also close to completing a deal for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez and are now targeting a centre-back, having agreed a £35million deal to sell Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen.

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Guehi is their top target and the England international has just one year left on his contract. However, the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle are also said to be interested in Guehi and the Daily Mail are reporting that Hato is another defender that Liverpool 'like'.

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The report states that Liverpool ideally want a young player who can go on to replace club captain Virgil van Dijk. They have previously targeted both Leny Yoro and Dean Huijsen, but they ultimately joined Manchester United and Real Madrid respectively instead.

Hato is only 19-years-old, but he has already made more than 100 senior appearances for Ajax and is adept at playing as either a centre-back or a left-back. And Hato has previously stated that he was told to model his game on Van Dijk's during his time in Ajax's academy.

"Coaches told me that I always needed to look up to Virgil van Dijk, but when I played in the under-18s, I always looked up to Jurrien Timber," Hato told the Athletic last year. "I played with him for six months before he left, and I learned so much from him.

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"When I came into the first team, he was my mentor. I love his playing style, his calmness on the ball. And he is just a great defender in defending terms.

"If you play at the Ajax academy, you always get that bravery the coaches tell you to play with. It's one of my qualities to dribble past players and create a chance. There needs to be space to do it, but if there is space, I will always try to look forward for that.

Jorrel Hato is being considered as an alternative to Guehi (Image: Getty Images )

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"I always go back to my standards. It's just playing football, doing my thing, and not letting the outside noise affect your skills. In the academy, we heard about (basketball icon) Michael Jordan, saying that he missed 1,200 free throws, and that is why he succeeded.

"I'm not afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes them. It's not fun or good, but life goes on — and so you learn from them."

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