Nyakossi Eyes Anfield Switch as Liverpool Plot CB Overhaul Amid Slot's Pressure Cooker
Liverpool are eyeing OH Leuven's Roggerio Nyakossi for a 2026 centre-back swoop, with the player keen on the move, amid plans for Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni's return. They're also pushing for Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga. Arne Slot admits pressure after a Brighton defeat, with Champions League spots up for grabs.
Liverpool's Defensive Wishlist Grows: Nyakossi Keen on Reds Move
Fancy a pint and a natter about Liverpool's transfer tinkering? Word on the street from Belgian rag Het Nieuwsblad is that Roggerio Nyakossi, the 22-year-old Swiss stopper at OH Leuven, is itching for a summer 2026 hop to Anfield. The lad's banging in goals from defence – three in 19 Pro League games this term – and his current deal runs to 2027.
Marseille flogged him to Leuven back in January 2025 with a cheeky buy-back clause lurking. So, the Reds might have to twiddle thumbs if Les Phocéens pull the trigger first. But get this: Nyakossi 'would very much like' to strut his stuff at Liverpool. Who can blame him?
Long-Term Backline Blueprint Takes Shape
Liverpool aren't stopping at Nyakossi. They've already inked a deal with Rennes for Jeremy Jacquet to rock up in summer 2026. Meanwhile, Giovanni Leoni, nabbed from Parma last year, should be match-fit by the 2026/27 season post his ACL nightmare.
Yet the current crew's wobbly. Ibrahima Konate and Rhys Williams are out of contract this summer, Joe Gomez's a walking bandage, and Virgil van Dijk's hitting 34. No wonder FSG are scouting far and wide for centre-back reinforcements.
And it's not just the back four. TEAMtalk insider Graeme Bailey spilled that Real Madrid are open to offloading Eduardo Camavinga this summer for at least €50m (£43.4m). Liverpool lead the chase, with Man Utd and Chelsea sniffing around. CaughtOffside reckon the Reds have had two meetings with his camp already. Versatile beast, that one – midfielder or left-back at a push.
Slot Feels the Heat After Brighton Blip
Over to the gaffer: Arne Slot's admitting the pressure's cranking up after a 2-1 gut-punch at Brighton's Amex on Saturday. With Arsenal and Man City eyeing top two, it's a scrap for the last Champions League spots involving Utd, Villa, the Reds, Chelsea, and maybe even Brentford or Everton.
Chatting to TNT Sports, Slot shrugged: 'Pressure's always there at Liverpool, on me and the lads. We've nailed FA Cup quarters and Champions League last eight, but league form's key for next season's Europe.' He slated the Seagulls away as a banana skin – fair dos, they've stacked quality – but hammered home the Spurs slip last week as proper unacceptable.
Even so, a big club like LFC should grind results out anywhere. Slot's right; time to rally.
Original reporting by Subhankar Mondal at TEAMtalk.