Liverpool linked with Napoli’s Sam Beukema – could it be second time lucky for Arne Slot?

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Napoli defender Sam Beukema. 

With uncertainty surrounding the future of France international Ibrahima Konaté, who has yet to sign a new contract amid speculation that he could join Real Madrid when his contract expires next summer, the Anfield club attempted to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guéhi earlier this month. 

A £35m fee was agreed between the clubs only for the proposed transfer to collapse at the last minute after Palace failed to sign a suitable replacement in time. While there is an expectation that Liverpool will renew their efforts to sign Guéhi, who is also out of contract at the end of the season, speculation has emerged that Slot could turn to Beukema.

After two successful seasons with Bologna, the 26-year-old Dutchman joined Italian champions Napoli this summer in a £27m deal. He went on to score on his debut in a 3-1 win at Fiorentina.

Who is Napoli defender Sam Beukema?

Beukema, who had the third highest pass completion rate among Serie A defenders last term, began his professional career in the Eredivisie with Go Ahead Eagles , where he spent four seasons before moving to AZ Alkmaar in 2021. 

By then the defender had already caught the eye of Slot, who visited Beukema’s home in an attempt to lure him to Feyenoord, where he had recently been appointed manager.

“It was a really good conversation and he showed me things that I hadn’t thought of before,” Beukema reflected before last season’s Coppa Italia final, in which he helped Bologna to a clean sheet as they defeated AC Milan to win the competition for the first time since 1974. 

“You could see he approached football differently to other managers and I had a really good feeling – and so did my uncle [who is a Feyenoord supporter]. He told me to go there, but I said, ‘Let’s wait.’”

‘At the time I didn’t know how Feyenoord would do’

Feyenoord went on to win the league in Slot’s second season as the Dutchman oversaw a dramatic upturn in the club’s fortunes. But the future was far from clear at De Kuip when Slot arrived, and Beukema, while impressed by his countryman’s pitch, plumped for AZ Alkmaar instead. It was a decision that would later give him pause, although he insisted he had no regrets.

“I went to AZ not because of Arne Slot, but at the time I didn’t know how Feyenoord would do and AZ was more stable and was a more safe choice,” said Beukema. “Sometimes you think, ‘What if?’ – but who can tell if things would have been different? I was happy with the choices I made. 

“He texted me and wished me good luck and said unfortunately you did not choose us, but I wish you the best for the future.”

‘For me the Premier League is maybe the best to play in’

Napoli travel to the Etihad to face Manchester City in the Champions League on Thursday, affording Beukema another run out against Premier League opposition following last season’s European trip to Anfield with Boolgna. That match ended in a 2-0 win for Liverpool, following which Slot sought out his countryman and praised his contribution. Beukema, for his part, has acknowledged the allure of English football.

“I’ve been following the Premier League since I was a young kid and I love the competition,” the defender said earlier this year. “For me it is maybe the best league to play in. 

“I’m playing in a really big league, but the Premier League is something different with all the big teams, the high level. You see the atmosphere also and it is amazing. Let’s see. I always like to challenge myself.”

When Beukema embraces that challenge this week – assuming he recovers from a rumoured bout of flu in time – there will be few more interested observers than Slot.