Liverpool-linked defender's wife sends mixed messages over possible transfer

After being confirmed as Jurgen Klopp's successor, Slot inevitably saw a plethora of his Feyenoord troops linked with a switch to Merseyside alongside him, including defensive rock David Hancko.

The Slovakia international has shone in the heart of the Rotterdam side's defence since leaving Sparta Prague in 2022, winning the Eredivisie title in his first season at the club, as well as a KNVB-Beker title last term.

A threat in both boxes, Hancko has registered 11 goals and eight assists from 93 matches in a Feyenoord jersey, including seven strikes from 48 appearances in all tournaments in the 2023-24 season.

Selected for the Slovakia squad for the European Championships, Hancko started at left-back for his nation in their opening Group E battle with Belgium, playing a pivotal role in his side's shock 1-0 success.

Hancko's wife confirms transfer stance amid Liverpool rumours

As Liverpool are known to be in the market for a new centre-back and could also try to bolster their full-back ranks amid uncertainty over Kostas Tsimikas's future, the capture of the versatile Hancko could kill two birds with one transfer.

The 26-year-old's agent confirmed earlier this year that contact had been made with both Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, although it has since been reported that the Reds are prioritising younger targets.

Nevertheless, speaking to Sportovy, Hancko's partner Kristyna Pliskova - a former professional tennis player - offered Liverpool hope of an unproblematic signing, confirming that her husband is seeking a move elsewhere.

"It will be dealt with this summer. Probably only after the championship, but I'm not such an expert. I don't know if it's up for grabs, but I think he'd like to move on," Pliskova said.

However, in spite Hancko's desire to leave Feyenoord, Pliskova has suggested that a move to Liverpool is not their priority, hinting that a move to Serie A or La Liga may be preferable.

"Actually, we would both be happy. We'll see what will happen in the end. I'm not complaining, but there are definitely better places. For me, Spain or Italy," the 32-year-old added.

What other defenders are Liverpool targeting?

Whether Pliskova's weather-related motivations to snub a Premier League move will be taken into account remains to be seen, but Liverpool appear to have already moved on from Hancko, despite holding talks with his agents.

Instead, Lille's 18-year-old protege Leny Yoro is thought to be at the top of their wishlist, but they have supposedly already had one bid of around £42.2m rejected by the French side, and Yoro himself is pining for a move to Real Madrid.

Alternative defensive options include the likes of Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio and Eintracht Frankfurt's Willian Pacho, but the Reds are already said to be on the brink of signing a teenage centre-back from one of their Premier League rivals.