Liverpool Eye £30m Centre-Back Sam Beukema Following Arne Slot's Recommendation

Arne Slot has reportedly put Sam Beukema on Liverpool's radar after the defender caught his eye during a match last season. The Dutchman, now at Napoli, stood out in Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Bologna in October 2024, earning praise from the Reds' head coach.

Slot's admiration for Beukema hasn't faded. According to Graeme Bailey from TEAMtalk, he has made his feelings clear to Liverpool's management, who are currently evaluating potential centre-back options for the summer transfer window. The presence of several Dutch players at Anfield could help Beukema settle in if he makes the move.

Beukema's contract with Napoli runs until 2030, and the Serie A champions are not in a rush to sell. Reports suggest they would consider offers starting at £30 million. This price tag might seem reasonable for an experienced defender in one of Italy's top clubs, but his defensive stats raise some eyebrows.

While Beukema excels in ball progression—ranking in the top 4% among Serie A centre-backs for completed passes—he struggles in core defensive metrics. His tackles, interceptions, and clearances rank poorly compared to his peers. This raises questions about his overall defensive capabilities.

Slot's push for Beukema suggests he expects to continue at Liverpool next season. He had previously wanted to sign the defender during his time at Feyenoord. As Liverpool weighs their options, it will be interesting to see if they heed Slot's call and make a move for the Dutch centre-back.