Duje Caleta-Car was a target for Liverpool in the January transfer window of 2021, with the Reds desperate to sign a central defender following injuries to key players
Few players turn down Liverpool these days, but international defender Duje Caleta-Car once rejected a deadline day transfer to the injury-ravaged Reds.
Arne Slot’s side have wrapped up a mammoth transfer window, having spent £446million on a collection of stars, including Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak, who completed his controversial move from Newcastle on Monday. But not every window has been successful for Liverpool; take the January window of 2021.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were dealing with a defensive crisis, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all out injured. Liverpool urgently needed cover, ultimately securing Ben Davies from Preston North End and Ozan Kabak on loan from Schalke.
The Reds also pursued Croatia international Caleta-Car, who was at Marseille at the time. While Caleta-Car was pleased to attract interest from the reigning Premier League champions, he chose to remain in the south of France after talks with his club.
After the deadline passed, Caleta-Car revealed his reasoning for rejecting the Merseyside move, emphasising his pride at the club’s approach. He said: “I received an offer from Liverpool.
“It was an honour for me to know that such a club wanted me. We decided with the club that I was going to stay. Marseille is also a great club and I still have a lot of improving to do here.”
Caleta-Car remained at Marseille for a further 18 months before eventually making his Premier League bow in September 2022, signing for Southampton, who were relegated that season, for around £8m.
Caleta-Car only managed 19 appearances for the Saints before being loaned out to Lyon, where he carved out a place in the heart of the Ligue 1 side’s defence. The French side eventually signed him on a permanent basis.
Nearly five years after rejecting Liverpool, the now 28-year-old may be pondering what might have been. Caleta-Car has been on the move again this summer, joining Real Sociedad on a season-long loan from Lyon.
Liverpool were in the market for a central defender just before the recent summer window shut and had agreed a fee of around £35m for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi. However, when the FA Cup holders failed to secure another defender before the deadline, they called off the transfer.
As a result, Liverpool must either sign a free agent or wait until the January window opens to bolster their defence. Free agent options include Takehiro Tomiyasu, who departed Arsenal earlier in the summer following an injury-plagued season.
Kurt Zouma is also available on a free transfer after leaving West Ham. The former Chelsea defender made 20 appearances during a loan stint with Saudi Pro League team Al-Orobah last season. His last Premier League appearance was almost 18 months ago.
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