Liverpool, Leeds in the hunt for impressive French defensive starlet Leeds United and Liverpool are reportedly monitoring 20-year-old French defender Loic Bade. The youngster has made quite the impression at Lens in Ligue 1 this season, whom he joined on a free transfer from second-tier side Le Havre last summer. He has been a mainstay in the heart of their defence, starting 16 of their 18 league games to date. He made just seven Ligue 2 appearances the season before. Bade could be on the move again soon, with the current Premier League champions keeping an eye on him. As a result of both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez suffering long-term injuries this season, Jurgen Klopp’s side have been unable to maintain the dominance that saw them storm to the 2019/20 title. They’ve had to rely on makeshift centre-back partnerships so far this campaign, and the 6’4” Bade would help to fill that void. However, French outlet Foot Mercato (via Inside Futbol) are reporting that Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds are paying close attention to the defender too. Naturally, Bade’s performances are drawing attention from all over Europe. Borussia Monchengladbach and AC Milan are also said to be interested. Fellow Ligue 1 sides Rennes and Lyon have been linked with the centre-back as well. It is believed Bade is happy to stay at Lens until at least the summer, however, so a move in this month’s transfer window looks unlikely. Lens secured Bade on a three-year deal so might look to cash in for a big fee come the end of the season. Reds to learn Mbappe future Meanwhile, Liverpool remain on standby to prise Kylian Mbappe away from PSG – but one in-the-know transfer expert fully expects him to sign a contract extension with the Ligue 1 giants. The World Cup winner has just 18 months left on his deal with Paris Saint-Germain and talks are underway over an extension. A report last week claimed the Reds had a calculated financial plan to lure the France forward to Anfield. However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reckons Mbappe will sign a new deal with PSG with talks well advanced. “He’s negotiating with Paris Saint-Germain,” Romano told Give Me Sport. “He’s negotiating, and Paris Saint-Germain’s president (Nasser) Al-Khelaifi, is always so optimistic. And, you know, having a lot of money makes it so easy to try (to tie Mbappe down to a new deal). “But obviously, it’s up to the player to find an agreement on a contract. When you talk with players like Mbappe, like Neymar, it is not a normal contract.” READ MORE: Pundit claims Van Dijk on course to smash Liverpool injury timeline The post Liverpool, Leeds in the hunt for impressive French defensive starlet appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Leeds United and Liverpool are reportedly monitoring 20-year-old French defender Loic Bade.

The youngster has made quite the impression at Lens in Ligue 1 this season, whom he joined on a free transfer from second-tier side Le Havre last summer.

He has been a mainstay in the heart of their defence, starting 16 of their 18 league games to date. He made just seven Ligue 2 appearances the season before.

Bade could be on the move again soon, with the current Premier League champions keeping an eye on him.

As a result of both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez suffering long-term injuries this season, Jurgen Klopp’s side have been unable to maintain the dominance that saw them storm to the 2019/20 title.

They’ve had to rely on makeshift centre-back partnerships so far this campaign, and the 6’4” Bade would help to fill that void.

 

However, French outlet Foot Mercato (via Inside Futbol) are reporting that Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds are paying close attention to the defender too.

Naturally, Bade’s performances are drawing attention from all over Europe. Borussia Monchengladbach and AC Milan are also said to be interested.

Fellow Ligue 1 sides Rennes and Lyon have been linked with the centre-back as well.

It is believed Bade is happy to stay at Lens until at least the summer, however, so a move in this month’s transfer window looks unlikely.

Lens secured Bade on a three-year deal so might look to cash in for a big fee come the end of the season.

Reds to learn Mbappe future

Meanwhile, Liverpool remain on standby to prise Kylian Mbappe away from PSG – but one in-the-know transfer expert fully expects him to sign a contract extension with the Ligue 1 giants.

The World Cup winner has just 18 months left on his deal with Paris Saint-Germain and talks are underway over an extension.

A report last week claimed the Reds had a calculated financial plan to lure the France forward to Anfield.

However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reckons Mbappe will sign a new deal with PSG with talks well advanced.

“He’s negotiating with Paris Saint-Germain,” Romano told Give Me Sport. “He’s negotiating, and Paris Saint-Germain’s president (Nasser) Al-Khelaifi, is always so optimistic. And, you know, having a lot of money makes it so easy to try (to tie Mbappe down to a new deal).

“But obviously, it’s up to the player to find an agreement on a contract. When you talk with players like Mbappe, like Neymar, it is not a normal contract.”

READ MORE: Pundit claims Van Dijk on course to smash Liverpool injury timeline

The post Liverpool, Leeds in the hunt for impressive French defensive starlet appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Samuel Bannister