Jurgen Klopp has made it a priority for Liverpool to add to their defensive ranks this summer and links with a target from the Bundesliga are amplifying.

Although Liverpool will largely be focusing on the evolution of their midfield in the summer, their defence is also a concern. They have already conceded more goals in the Premier League this season than they did in the whole of last season.

With that in mind, Liverpool are scouring the market for potential reinforcements. Any new arrival could help ease some of the pressure on main man Virgil van Dijk, who hasn’t been as dominant this season.

Joel Matip and Joe Gomez face uncertain futures, while Ibrahima Konate is still searching for consistency. Therefore, there could be room for Liverpool to invest in their backline.

Back in February, TEAMtalk was told that Eintracht Frankfurt centre-half Evan Ndicka is an option seriously under consideration by them.

Links with the Frenchman have persisted since, with the Daily Mirror now reporting that Liverpool have identified him as the “perfect profile” to add to their squad.

Available on a free transfer in the summer when his contract expires – he has rejected Frankfurt’s final offer of a renewal – Ndicka “ticks all the boxes” for Liverpool, the report says.

The Reds have been monitoring Ndicka since he was a teenager. Now 23 years old, he has established himself as someone still worthy of pursuing.

READ MORE: Van Dijk nonchalance leads to extremes as arrogance confused with decline

Liverpool would have to fend off potential competition from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur for his signature. Further afield, Barcelona and his hometown club Paris Saint-Germain are potential suitors.

However, Liverpool seem to be serious about taking the left footer to Anfield. Indeed, by bolstering their defence with him for free, they could save funds for their midfield transfer aims.

Their only dilemma is whether or not they would be able to offer Ndicka a regular starting role, thus breaking up the partnership between Van Dijk and Konate.

Liverpool worthy of consideration by Ndicka

After making more than 170 appearances for Frankfurt, including 35 this season, Ndicka will want to retain his prominence as he makes the next step of his career.

With his options open, he will have to evaluate where he might have the best chance of doing so. Furthermore, after winning the Europa League last season and experiencing Champions League football this term, he will want to be competing at a high level.

Liverpool’s qualification for the Champions League is in doubt at the moment, but not impossible to achieve. Arsenal, PSG and Barcelona might be more convinced they will be in Europe’s top competition next season, in comparison. Meanwhile, Tottenham are in a similar boat to Liverpool despite currently occupying a top-four place.

Perhaps PSG could be the ideal suitors for Ndicka. After all, they need to evolve their defence and the former France youth international would find such a move attractive.

But Liverpool will be worth considering, regardless of where they finish this season. Although Ndicka’s preference for playing on the left may cause him to initially clash with Van Dijk, the Dutchman won’t be assured of his place forever.

In turn, Ndicka could become Van Dijk’s successor. In the process, he could rekindle a partnership with Konate from their time together in the French youth levels.

It will soon be time for Ndicka to decide his future. But Liverpool will be one of the main options under consideration.

READ MORE: Newcastle to bid for Liverpool enigma who’ll test Klopp’s patience and oust senior star if signed

The article Liverpool ramp up pursuit of Bundesliga star who ‘ticks all the boxes’ to fill Klopp priority appeared first on Teamtalk.com.