Speaking on a recent episode of The Transfer Window podcast, Duncan Castles claimed that out of contract centre-back, Ezequiel Garay, is ‘the strongest candidate’ to join Liverpool on a free transfer.
With Virgil van Dijk being ruled out for an unspecified amount of time due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury picked up after a heavy challenge by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford last weekend, Jurgen Klopp has been left with just Joe Gomez and Joel Matip as natural options with Premier League experience at centre-back in his first-team squad.
And, while the January transfer window is roughly 10 weeks away, should Liverpool wish, they could immediately sign a defender who is out of contract, in order to provide them with greater depth in the position.
The issue was one subject of conversation on a recent episode of The Transfer Window podcast, in which Castles claimed that former Real Madrid, Benfica and Valencia centre-back Garay, who is currently without a club, appears to be ‘the strongest candidate’ to join Klopp’s side on a free transfer.
He said: “One individual I think you [could] see as a potential candidate for an out-of-contract centre-back, because [there are] very few high-quality out-of-contract centre-backs available, would be Ezequiel Garay, who was at Valencia last season.
“If you’re looking for someone who has played Champions League football, has top-level experience and is free immediately, then I think he’s the strongest candidate.”
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TIF Thoughts on Duncan Castles claim that Liverpool could be looking at a move for Ezequiel Garay…
From Castles’ comments, it is clear that the journalist is of the belief that Garay is the best option as an out of contract centre-back that Liverpool could immediately sign.
And, considering the £4.32 million-rated 34-year-old has 201 La Liga appearances to his name, over which he has scored 20 goals and provided four assists, as well as 81 appearances in European club competition, the defender would indeed appear to be an experienced short-term option for Klopp, should he wish to bring in a centre-back before the January transfer window.