Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic could be on the way to Liverpool this summer, as Jurgen Klopp seeks cover for the suspended Mamadou Sakho.
Sakho has been provisionally suspended for 30 days after testing positive for a banned fat-burning drug, and is likely to face at least six months on the sidelines as a result.
With Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure both poised to leave Liverpool this summer, Klopp’s centre-back ranks are decidedly thin.
This has led Klopp to turn his attention to the transfer market, and his former defensive stalwart, Subotic.
According to German publication Revier Sport, Subotic could follow Mats Hummels out of Dortmund this summer, with Liverpool most likely to sign the 27-year-old Serbian.
Subotic has made just 11 appearances so far this season, after struggles with a back injury and, more recently, thrombosis in his arm.
Behind Hummels, Sokratis and Sven Bender in Thomas Tuchel’s centre-back pecking order, it seems likely that Subotic will leave the Westfalenstadion at the end of the season.
This would mark the end of an eight-year spell with the club, having been brought to Dortmund from Mainz in 2008.
Klopp’s admiration for Subotic, leading to that move from Mainz, is clear, and a move for the Serbia international would make sense on a basic level.
While limited compared to the likes of Sakho, Subotic is an intelligent, experienced centre-back, familiar with the demands of Klopp’s tactical system, and is likely to be available for a low fee.
Given his battle for fitness in recent seasons, Subotic would likely accept a bit-part role at Anfield—though his injury problems should be a red flag for the Reds.
Signing Subotic would be something of a gamble for Klopp, but one in which the German has plenty of faith.
