Arne Slot shut down £33m defender during private talks over Liverpool transfer

Feyenoord defender David Hancko has revealed he was outed by former boss Arne Slot when the pair discussed the possibility of a Liverpool reunion earlier this summer. Slovakia international Hancko, who recently scored a late equalizer in Feyenoord's dramatic Champions League comeback at Manchester City last week, was keen on the idea of ​​swapping Rotterdam for Merseyside as he is a self-confessed Liverpool fan. However, on the Slovak FA's SFZ podcast, the 26-year-old admitted that Slot had respectfully told him a transfer was not on the table. Hancko said: “I was in contact with the coach, but he immediately told me that was not possible. Liverpool has a certain transfer philosophy. Age was one problem, the other was price. Both factors were negative for me.”

The versatile defender, who can play as a centre-back or left-back, was looking for a move at the end of last season after impressing at Euro 2024. Atletico Madrid made two bids for his services, each of which fell noticeably short. of Feyenoord's asking price of £33 million (€40 million). Liverpool kept an eye on the market for centre-backs but the Reds oversaw a relatively quiet transfer window, only signing Federico Chiesa from Juventus and Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who will join the club next summer. Hancko won the Eredivisie title under Slot at Feyenoord in 2022/23 and also lifted the KNVB Cup and the Johan Cruijff Shield during his time with the high-flying Liverpool boss. But in February he signed a new long-term contract with the Dutch club, which will keep him at the club until 2028.

He recently gave a glowing review of Slot after starring in Feyenoord's 3-3 draw at City, saying: “I think in three years' time he will be among the best coaches in the world. “I see that happening because I know what he did to us and now he has the biggest platform to show it. I have a lot of confidence in him and his staff, and I'm not saying that because I hope to go with him to Liverpool, because that's unlikely. But I wish him the best of luck, he really is a fantastic coach.” Liverpool are the pacesetters of the Premier League at the start of the season and have built a nine-point lead at the top conference. Significantly, they are now 11 points clear of champions City following their 2-0 win over Pep Guardiola's side at Anfield last weekend. Arsenal are now their closest rivals after the Gunners won 5-2 at West Ham on Saturday.