Liam Duckstein
Liverpool’s search for defensive reinforcements has taken a hit as Nathan Zeze, widely regarded as the ‘next William Saliba’, has opted to join Saudi Pro League side Neom, turning down reported interest from several Premier League clubs—including the Reds.
Despite Arne Slot overseeing a high-spending summer, the Merseyside giants remain vulnerable at centre-back. Virgil van Dijk’s veteran status, Ibrahima Konaté’s expiring deal, and Joe Gomez’s persistent injury history only compound the urgency for fresh defensive blood at Anfield.
Zeze Signs with Neom: Liverpool Miss Their Mark
20-year-old Zeze, a France U21 international with 35 appearances for Nantes, was seen as a viable long-term investment. His style—a composed presence with excellent ball distribution—sparked comparisons to Arsenal’s Saliba, drawing attention from Aston Villa, Everton, Bournemouth, and Liverpool.
But Neom, fresh off their promotion from the Saudi second tier, secured the young defender’s signature. He joins former Ligue 1 talents Marcin Bulka and Alexandre Lacazette as part of an ambitious recruitment drive aimed at disrupting the domestic elite.
Time Ticking: Will Liverpool Move for Guehi?
Zeze’s decision leaves Liverpool under pressure. With no natural backup and mounting fixtures, emergency cover such as Wataru Endo or even Andrew Robertson at centre-back remains far from ideal. Slot’s preference for structured, forward-facing defenders makes internal options a last resort.
Enter Marc Guehi. The Crystal Palace defender, entering the final year of his contract, has long been on Liverpool’s radar. However, Palace are digging in, yet to sanction a sale despite growing interest. Liverpool may be hoping to leverage the closing weeks of the window to force a deal—but it’s a risky game to play given the intensified title race ahead.
With rivals strengthening and injuries always lurking, standing still could prove costly. Zeze slipping away might not be the last twist in Liverpool’s defensive saga this summer.