Liverpool are champions.
But that has not brought to a close the club’s squad-building process.
While they may be 23 points clear of Manchester City, it appears that manager Jurgen Klopp is planning ahead to the 2020/21 season.
A report from Tuttomercatoweb has made it clear that there is one target in particular who could represent a significant upgrade for the best team in England.
Indeed, Kalidou Koulibaly, the Napoli defender, could well be their key signing this summer.
The report states that the Serie A giants value the centre-back at €100 million (£90.9m) but Liverpool are keen on strengthening their defence in the coming months.
Jurgen Klopp is said to be keen on bringing the Senegal international in to play alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Anfield defence.
The Reds are said to be plotting a bid for the 29-year-old in the coming days and a swap deal is posited by the report.
There is said to be a possibility that Dejan Lovren could move in the other direction, while Joel Matip could subsequently move into a defensive midfield position.
Koulibaly has been a key member of Napoli’s squad, making a total of 236 appearances since his move from Genk in 2014.
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
Koulibaly is a world-class centre-back.
The defender has emerged as a genuinely elite talent in Serie A and pairing him with van Dijk would be an amazing piece of business.
Per WhoScored, Koulibaly averages 2.6 tackles per game in Serie A, 1.1 interceptions, 2.9 clearances, and a staggering 2.2 aerial duels won.
He also has a passing accuracy average of 89.6%, including 4.1 long balls.
While he is 29 and not getting any younger, one has to think that this is a case of buying for the here and now instead of looking to the future.
As they look to retain their title, that may not be the worst thing.