Liverpool's Deadline Day Offer Rejected by Croatian Defender
While the allure of joining a footballing institution like Liverpool proves irresistible for most professionals, one player stands out for having declined their advances. Duje Caleta-Car, the Croatian centre-back currently on loan at Real Sociedad from Lyon, has confirmed he turned down a transfer to Anfield during a critical January window.
A Rare Rejection of the Reds
Caleta-Car finds himself among a select group of footballers who have spurned Liverpool's interest in recent years. "I received an offer from Liverpool," the defender revealed. "It was an honour for me to know that such a club wanted me." Despite this recognition, he ultimately chose loyalty to his then-employers, Olympique de Marseille.
The approach came during the January 2021 transfer deadline day, when Liverpool were grappling with significant defensive shortages. Manager Jürgen Klopp was navigating an injury crisis that had sidelined key defenders Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, and Joe Gomez simultaneously.
Marseille Loyalty Over Premier League Glory
"We decided with the club that I was going to stay," Caleta-Car explained regarding his choice. "Marseille is also a great club, and I still have a lot of improving to do here." This decision meant rejecting the reigning Premier League champions at their peak, opting instead to continue his development in France's Ligue 1.
Liverpool, rebuffed in their pursuit, swiftly turned their attention elsewhere. The club completed alternative deadline day signings, bringing in Ben Davies from Preston North End and securing Ozan Kabak on loan from Schalke 04. Academy products Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams were also promoted to more prominent first-team roles that season.
Subsequent Career Trajectory
Caleta-Car remained with Marseille for approximately eighteen additional months before eventually making his way to English football. In the summer of 2022, he joined Southampton on a four-year contract. However, his stint at St Mary's proved challenging, featuring just nineteen appearances as the Saints suffered relegation during his debut campaign.
Following Southampton's twentieth-place finish, the defender returned to France through a loan move to Lyon, which became permanent in 2024. His career has since taken him to Spain, where he currently plays for Real Sociedad on another loan arrangement.
Parallels with Current Liverpool Situation
Interestingly, Liverpool find themselves in a somewhat similar defensive predicament today. The team has failed to maintain a clean sheet in their last four domestic matches, with only Manchester United among the Premier League's top seven conceding more goals this season.
Questions surround Virgil van Dijk's form following his contract extension, while Ibrahima Konaté appears likely to depart upon his contract's expiration. Injuries have further depleted options, with youngster Giovanni Leoni suffering a potentially season-ending knee injury and Joe Gomez experiencing periodic absences.
Speculation on What Might Have Been
One can only speculate how Caleta-Car's career might have unfolded had he accepted Liverpool's proposal five years ago. Since that unsuccessful pursuit, the club has secured significant silverware, including two League Cups, an FA Cup, and a Premier League title during Arne Slot's inaugural season as manager.
The Croatian international's choice represents a fascinating counter-narrative in football's transfer culture, where immediate prestige is sometimes sacrificed for personal development and club loyalty. His journey from Marseille to Southampton, Lyon, and now Real Sociedad illustrates the unpredictable pathways a professional career can take.
