Liverpool transfer news: 'Next William Saliba' makes Saudi Pro League switch

Liverpool are among the Premier League clubs who have missed out on signing defender Nathan Zeze, a player dubbed the 'next William Saliba'.

Despite spending big during the summer transfer window, the English top-flight champions are short of central defenders and have doubts over the ones who are already at Anfield.

Virgil van Dijk has entered veteran status, Ibrahima Konate has less than one year remaining on his contract and Joe Gomez has had to contend with injury issues throughout his career.

Therefore, acquiring a new centre-back remains towards the top of Arne Slot's priority list, even if a certain level of focus may soon switch to trying to sign Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak.

Zeze is a player who has been on the radar of a number of high-profile clubs and would have been viewed as a realistic potential addition.

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Saudi Pro League club wins Zeze race

Instead, the 20-year-old has chosen to sign for Saudi Pro League club Neom, who are attempting to gatecrash the elite in that division.

Zeze joins goalkeeper Marcin Bulka and forward Alexandre Lacazette as notable additions since winning last season's second-tier title.

France Under-21 international Zeze had racked up 35 senior appearances for Nantes having progressed through the senior ranks.

Aston Villa, Everton and Bournemouth were all reportedly monitoring the situation along with Liverpool.

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Liverpool under pressure to act?

Players such as Wataru Endo and Andrew Robertson could be called upon to deputise at centre-back if Liverpool need them over the coming weeks.

However, Slot will surely want the club's hierarchy to act as soon as possible, even if he will be delighted with their business thus far.

Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi has been linked with a transfer to Anfield, yet Palace are yet to give the green light to selling the England international despite just one year remaining on his contract.

Liverpool may be looking to put Palace under pressure towards the end of the transfer window in the hope that the Eagles will lower their valuation.

Nevertheless, it is a risky strategy when they will face stiffer competition to retain their Premier League title than they did when winning it.