Waldemar Anton is attracting interest from Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen and Dortmund (Picture: Getty)
Liverpool are exploring a move for Stuttgart and Germany defender Waldemar Anton in the summer transfer window.
Anton enjoyed his fourth season with Stuttgart last term and the 27-year-old shone as Sebastian Hoeness’ side finished as runners-up in the Bundesliga, with only Bayer Leverkusen boasting a superior defensive record.
Across a stellar campaign, Anton missed just one game in the German top flight, and the centre-half has been rewarded with a place in Julian Nagelsmann’s 26-man squad for Euro 2024.
He will no doubt be desperate to make an impression for the tournament hosts, who face off against Scotland on Friday night, but faces stiff competition from the likes of Antonio Rudiger, Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck.
According to German publication Sport Bild, Liverpool are likely to be keeping close tabs on Anton’s performances after inquiring about the centre-back’s availability two weeks ago.
Newly appointed Liverpool manager Arne Slot and Michael Edwards, the club’s returning CEO of football, are keen to strengthen at the back and Anton is viewed as a potential replacement for Joel Matip, who departed this summer upon the expiration of his contract.
The report claims that Liverpool could be boosted by the strong relationship they have with Stuttgart on the back of the agreement the two teams reached for Wataru Endo last year.
Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund are also credited with an interest in Anton, who is available for €22.5million (£19m) due to a release clause in his contract at Stuttgart.
The Germany international has a £19m release clause at Stuttgart (Picture: Getty)
The Germany international, capped twice by the national team, is tied into a deal at MHPArena until 2027.
Anton rose through Hannover’s academy ranks and made over 130 appearances for his boyhood club before joining Stuttgart in 2020.
Anton spoke highly of former Stuttgart teammate, Endo, after the midfielder’s switch to Merseyside last August and described Liverpool as ‘one of the best clubs in the world’.
‘Of course, we would all have preferred it if Wataru had stayed because he is simply great in terms of sport and personality,’ Anton said at the time.
‘But he’s not going anywhere, he’s going to Liverpool, one of the best clubs in the world. We understand he wanted to seize this opportunity and we wish him the best.’
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