Could this Lazio defender be Liverpool’s next winter signing?

After completing the signing of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea, Liverpool could be in the market for a new defender as their next winter signing, after reports emerged that the Reds are tracking Lazio star Modibo Diakite. talkSPORT's Transfer Spotlight has more on the defender, whose contract expires in June...

Name: Modibo Diakite
Date of birth: 2 March 1987
Birthplace: Bourg-la-Rine, France
Position: Centre-back
Club: Lazio
Honours: Coppa Italia (2008/09), Supercoppa Italiana (2009)

What's the latest?
Modibo Diakite made 25 appearances for Lazio in their run to fourth place in the 2011/12 Italian league, but a lack of game time this season means he's likely to leave in winter. Diakite is due to speak with Lazio next week over his situation, but reports in Italy claim Liverpool and an unnamed Russian club have already made contact with him, with the defender favouring the Reds.

Did you know?

1) Born in France, Diakite's career started as part of the youth ranks at Sampdoria, but it was his move to Pescara's own academy that kick-started his progress as a player.

2) The defender made his Serie B debut with Pescara as a 19-year-old on May 13, 2006, taking part in a 3-0 win for his side over Catania. Lazio signed him from Pescara that summer, but he had to wait until April 2007 to make his debut in a 4-2 away win over Udinese.

3) Diakite scored his first Serie A goal with a header from a corner in a 3-3 draw against Udinese in December 2008, and in the following months would go on to win his first piece of silverware, lifting the Italian Cup, then the Italian Supercup after defeating Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan.

4) The 2011/12 season proved Diakite's best yet, with the defender making 36 appearances in all competitions, 25 of which came in the league. Despite this, the defender has yet to start a Serie A game in the current campaign.

5) While known for his physical prowess, Diakite was praised last season for his newfound tactical awareness, though his passing can still be somewhat sloppy.

They say
“We agreed to meet with Lazio after the New Year. I will go to Rome to have a chat with them and possibly clarify the situation permanently. I think the meeting will take place between the second and the fourth. The offer from Lazio, however, won't change. The choice is ours: take it or leave it. Which will it be? I can't say.” Diakite's agent Ulisse Savini

Video evidence

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