Brighton star Luka Vuskovic has become the No 1 defensive target for Liverpool as they prepare for life after legendary captain Virgil van Dijk, a report has claimed.

In April 2025, Van Dijk signed a new two-year contract with Liverpool to extend his glittering spell at Anfield until June 2027. The centre-back is now 35 years old, though he remains a world-class defender who is absolutely crucial to Andoni Iraola’s side.

Transfer insider Graeme Bailey has told our friends at TEAMtalk that Van Dijk is in line for a one-year contract extension at Liverpool, but the Reds still need to begin work on his potential successor.

Talented young centre-backs Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are both candidates, while loanee Ronald Araujo has previously been compared with Van Dijk, and he could join Liverpool permanently next year.

But according to the Daily Briefing, Liverpool are instead planning to enter the market for Van Dijk’s replacement, with Vuskovic emerging as their ‘top target’ in central defence.

Liverpool hold ‘really strong interest’ in Vuskovic and are ‘closely monitoring’ his situation, alongside Bundesliga titans Bayern Munich.

Senior Anfield officials are long-term admirers of the Croatian international, and they were ‘surprised’ when Tottenham Hotspur opted to sell him to Brighton for £50m over the summer.

Brighton broke their transfer record to sign Vuskovic, and it was seen as a coup as soon as the transfer went through. Yet Spurs needed to sell Vuskovic to help fund Roberto De Zerbi’s squad overhaul.

Liverpool are big fans of Levi Colwill too, but Chelsea have no intention of selling the Englishman. This has seen Iraola and co. turn their full attention to Vuskovic.

A source is quoted as saying: “Brighton are realistic and pragmatic about this. They know, because it’s part of their whole strategy, that eventually Vuskovic is going to leave for big money.

Liverpool target ‘elite’ defender Luka Vuskovic

“Liverpool view him as elite, and perfect to slot into Andoni Iraola’s system.”

The report tips Brighton to hold out for £85-90m before selling the 19-year-old. Remarkably, that mega price ‘won’t put Liverpool off’, it is claimed – such is their admiration for him.

Vuskovic moving to Liverpool for such a fee would make him the world’s most expensive defender, eclipsing deals involving Harry Maguire, Josko Gvardiol, Matthijs de Ligt and Liverpool’s own Van Dijk.

Spending £85m or more on Vuskovic would be a risk given the fact he is still a teenager and is currently in his first campaign as a Premier League player.

But Vuskovic has elite potential, and Liverpool are trying to ensure they beat other top clubs to his signature, if this latest report is to be believed.