Liverpool are reportedly back in the running for Feyenoord's David Hancko, whom they were tipped to sign when Arne Slot first took charge.
The Slovakia international established a reputation as one of the Eredivisie's top defenders under Slot, and the Reds were inevitably linked with a move for him during the summer transfer window.
Liverpool had just waved goodbye to the long-serving Joel Matip at the end of his contract and had also seen Virgil van Dijk enter the last 12 months of his terms, but they never made a serious effort to sign Hancko.
Instead, the versatile 27-year-old remained on the books at Feyenoord, where he has excelled once again in the 2024-25 campaign with three goals and four assists from 31 appearances in all competitions.
Feyenoord are under little pressure to sell Hancko, who signed a contract extension at Feyenoord until 2028 last year, but according to CaughtOffside, Liverpool could try again for the Slovakian this summer.
Liverpool among five clubs chasing Hancko deal?
© Imago
The report claims that the Premier League leaders are 'closely monitoring' the former Slot favourite, but they are just one of five revered European clubs hoping to prise him away from Rotterdam.
Premier League rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be in the running - having considered a swoop in January - as are Bayern Munich and Juventus, the latter of whom were linked with an approach last summer too.
However, the player himself is supposedly yet to make a final decision on his future, and he will likely want to see out the rest of the season before communicating his next move.
Hancko previously represented Sparta Prague, Slavia Prague and Fiorentina before joining Feyenoord for £6.9m in 2022, and he now boasts 14 goals and 12 assists in 124 matches for the Dutch powerhouses.
One of Hancko's three goals so far this term came in Feyenoord's astonishing 3-3 comeback draw with Manchester City in the Champions League, and the 27-year-old also started all four of Slovakia's games at Euro 2024 as his nation reached the last 16.
Hancko to Liverpool: Killing two birds with one stone?
© Imago
One of Hancko's many admirable qualities is his versatility, as the 6ft 2in defender plays mainly as a centre-back for Feyenoord, but he is almost always deployed as a left-back for the national team.
The adaptable 27-year-old could therefore act as a Virgil van Dijk replacement first and foremost, while also offering an alternative option at left-back over Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.
There has been a noticeable decline in Robertson's performance levels in the 2024-25 season, and Liverpool have been tipped to replace the Scotsman with a younger option, namely Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez.
However, Hancko could replace Robertson and/or Van Dijk in the Liverpool defence; should the Slovakian be signed to provide cover at left-back, that could open the door for Jarell Quansah to become Ibrahima Konate's regular partner.
Van Dijk is still due to leave for free when his contract expires at the end of the season, although Liverpool continue to work on an extension for their captain.
Ben Knapton
