Liverpool is linked to a movement for Napoli defender Sam Beukema.
With uncertainty about the future of France International Ibrahima Konaté, who still has to sign a new contract in the midst of speculation that he could join Real Madrid when his contract ends next summer, the Anfield Club tried to sign Crystal Palace-Center-back Marc Guéhi earlier this month.
A fee of £ 35 million was agreed between the clubs only for the proposed transfer to collapse at the last minute after Palace had not signed a suitable replacement on time. Although there is an expectation that Liverpool will extend their efforts to sign Guéhi, who also no longer has a contract at the end of the season, speculation has emerged that lock could be Beukema.
After two successful seasons with Bologna, the 26-year-old Dutchman came to the Italian champions Napoli this summer in a £ 27 million deal. He then scored on his debut in a 3-1 victory in Fiorentina.
Who is Napoli Defender Sam Beukema?
Beukema, who had the third highest pass -voltage percentage under Serie A Defenders in the past term, started his professional career in the Eredivisie with Go to Go to Go Touwe Eagles, where he spent four seasons before moving to AZ Alkmaar in 2021.
By that time, the defender had already attracted the attention of Slot, who visited Beukema’s house in an attempt to lure him to Feyenoord, where he was recently appointed manager.
“It was really a good conversation and he showed me things that I had never thought of before,” Beukema reflected before last season’s Coppa Italia, in which he helped Bologna in a clean sheet when she defeated AC Milan to win the competition for the first time since 1974.
“You could see that he approached football otherwise with other managers and I had a very good feeling – and my uncle too [who is a Feyenoord supporter]. He said I had to go there, but I said, “Let’s wait.” ‘
‘At the time I did not know how Feyenoord would do’
Feyenoord then won the competition in the second season of Slot, while the Dutchman supervised a dramatic revival in the club’s fortune. But the future was far from clearly in De Kuip when Slot arrived, and Beukema, while he was impressed by his countryman’s field, was forced to AZ Alkmaar instead. It was a decision that would give him a break later, although he insisted that he did not regret.
“I went to AZ, not because of Arne Slot, but at that moment I didn’t know how Feyenoord would do and AZ was more stable and was a safer choice,” said Beukema. ‘Sometimes you think:’ What if? ‘ – But who can see if things would have been different? I was happy with the choices I made.
“He texted me and wished me good luck and said that unfortunately you didn’t choose us, but I wish you the best for the future.”
‘For me, the Premier League might be best to play in’
Napoli travels to the Etihad on Thursday to face Manchester City in the Champions League and offer Beukema another against Premier League opposition after last season’s European trip to Anfield with Boolgna. That match ended in a 2-0 victory for Liverpool, after which Slot sought his compatriot and praised his contribution. Beukema, for his part, has recognized the allure of English football.
“I have been following the Premier League since I was a young child and I love the competition,” the defender said earlier this year. “For me it might be the best competition to play in.
“I play in a real main class, but the Premier League is slightly different with all the big teams, the high level. You also see the atmosphere and it’s great. Let’s look. I always like to challenge myself.”
When Beukema embraces that challenge this week – assuming that he is recovering from a rumor of flu over time – there will be little more interested observers than Slot.
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