Arsenal and Liverpool are 'closely' following defender who several clubs have tried to sign this summer - journalist

Arsenal and Liverpool are likely to be active in the transfer market as we edge closer to deadline day.

With the 2024-25 Premier League season set to commence on Friday, the Gunners have already added Riccardo Calafiori to their squad to bolster their backline.

Mikel Merino is also in talks to sign for Arsenal, suggesting a busy end to the window for Mikel Arteta.

Liverpool, on the other hand, are yet to sign a player. Martin Zubimendi opted to stay at Real Sociedad after initially being tempted by a move to Anfield, which came as a massive blow to Arne Slot’s side.

It remains to be seen if the Reds pursue alternatives to Zubimendi, but if reports are to be believed, they are following Belgian defender Maxim de Cuyper closely, with Arsenal also credited with an interest.

Liverpool and Arsenal keeping tabs on Maxim de Cuyper

According to Het Nieuwsblad, Liverpool and Arsenal are closely following De Cuyper, who plies his trade with Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge.

The 23-year-old defender recently signed a new deal at the club that runs until the summer of 2028 but that hasn’t stopped clubs from tracking him.

While Liverpool and Arsenal are yet to press ahead with official offers despite keeping tabs on De Cuyper, the report states that the likes of Sevilla, Marseille, Ajax and Wolfsburg have failed to ‘seduce’ him this summer.

Who is Maxim de Cuyper?

Predominantly a left-back, De Cuyper is equally adept at playing on the right flank, making him a versatile defensive option.

The Belgian defender played 27 games at left-back for Club Brugge last season and 16 as a right-back, indicating that he is actually capable of excelling in both positions and not just someone who can do the job as a makeshift.

De Cuyper was part of Domenico Tedesco’s Belgium squad for Euro 2024 but didn’t play a single minute in Germany.

Do Arsenal or Liverpool need a player like De Cuyper?

Arsenal are well stacked at the back, with Calafiori’s arrival further bolstering their ranks at central defence and left-back.

The likes of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jurrien Timber, Ben White and Jakub Kiwior are all versatile options who can play multiple positions across the backline, so Arsenal probably don’t need a player of De Cuyper’s ilk currently.

Liverpool’s situation is an interesting one. With Trent Alexander-Arnold yet to commit his future to the club and Andy Robertson seemingly on the wrong side of his 30s, the Reds might look at full-back as a position that needs to be addressed in the coming months.

De Cuyper’s age and versatility certainly make him a viable option for Liverpool and it remains to be seen if they press ahead with their interest.