Liverpool earmark top deal for Greece international to secure long term replacement for Jamie Carragher.
Liverpool are closing in on a deal for FC Schalke 04 centre back Kyriakos Papadopoulos, according to chief scout and former director of football at AS Monaco Tor-Kristian Karlsen.
The Greek international defender, who is 21 years of age, has grown into one of the top prospects in world football, having moved to the Gelsenkirchen side in 2010.
He was previously the youngest player ever to appear in a Greek Superleague fixture, having made his debut for Olympiakos at just 15, and since gone on to prove himself as an immensely capable player in both the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League.
This season though, Papadopoulos has been disrupted by injury, and a knee complaint has seen him sidelined since November 2012.
Liverpool have retained interest though, and lead the chase for Papadopoulos, who could be a top replacement for the retiring Jamie Carragher next season.
The veteran defender, whose turning circle is now larger than that of a nuclear submarine, hangs up his boots at the end of the season after a brilliant Anfield career.
The signing of Papadopoulos also calls into question the futures of Martin Skrtel and Sebastian Coates, who have each struggled to break into the team under Brendan Rodgers.
German newspaper Bild also reported the likely transfer earlier this month, and suggest that a €22.5 million fee will be required, with Chelsea Liverpool’s main competition.
Karlsen’s tweets on Papadopoulos follow below.
Nice transfer coup for Liverpool if they manage to land Kyriakos Papadopoulos (centre back, born 92, Schalke 04, Greece national team)
— Tor-Kristian Karlsen (@karlsentk) May 16, 2013
Liverpool interest is concrete. Has been on the shortlist/highly rated by many European top clubs (incl. Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd)
— Tor-Kristian Karlsen (@karlsentk) May 16, 2013
Before the injury I certainly rated him as one of the top centre-backs in European football, hopefully he’ll return to same physical shape
— Tor-Kristian Karlsen (@karlsentk) May 16, 2013
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