The summer transfer window may have ended, but that doesn’t mean the rumours have. In fact, after a period of relative calm following the 1st September deadline, the rumour mill has once again started to spin as the winter transfer window begins to appear in the distance.
With that in mind, Football FanCast brings you all the Liverpool transfer rumours as the January transfer window edges ever closer.
Who did Liverpool sign this summer?
It was a challenging summer transfer market for the Reds to navigate this year, with several failed approaches for midfield targets, in particular making life difficult for the Merseysiders.
However, the Merseyside club were still able to spend some significant money on arrivals this summer, with the majority of their business done in the early stages of the window.
Liverpool wasted no time getting the World Cup-winning Alexis Mac Allister in through the door after he signed from Brighton & Hove Albion for a fee in the region of £35m. Following the Argentinian was RB Leipzig’s Hungarian whizkid Dominik Szoboszlai, who joined the club for around £60m.
Despite the club’s failure to sign either Moises Caicedo or Romeo Lavia, Jurgen Klopp and co ended the window with both Japanese international Wataru Endo and Dutch wonderkid Ryan Gravenberch in tow.
Player
From
Fee
Dominik Szoboszlai
RB Leipzig
£60m
Ryan Gravenberch
Bayern Munich
£34m
Alexis Mac Allister
Brighton & Hove Albion
£35m
Wataru Endo
Stuttgart
£16m
Who did Liverpool sell this summer?
While the club was busy on the signings side of things this summer, they were just as, if not more, busy with outgoings. In total, the Reds saw 11 players leave the club, either permanently or on loan.
Of those that left for good, only two could fetch the club a fee: Fabinho and Jordan Henderson. The two midfielders left Merseyside to join the burgeoning and unimaginably wealthy Saudi Pro League, netting Liverpool a cool £53m between them.
There was concern that club talisman Mohamed Salah would be joining them after Al-Ittihad lodged an eyewatering £150m bid. However, the club remained firm, and it looks like the Egyptian will be staying in the northwest for the time being.
Other notable players to leave include James Milner, who joined Brighton; Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who joined Besiktas; and Roberto Firmino, who joined Al-Ahli, all for free.
A number of players also opted to leave the club on loan in search of more playing time, with, Fabio Carvalho joining Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig, Sepp van de Berg joining Mainz, and Calvin Ramsay joining Preston North End in the Championship.
Interestingly, both Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams opted to travel north of the border for their loan moves, with the former joining champions Celtic while the latter went even further north to play for Aberdeen.
Player
Destination
Fee
Fabinho
Al-Ittihad
£40m
Jordan Henderson
Al-Ettifaq
£13m
Roberto Firmino
Al-Ahli
Free
Naby Keita
Werder Bremen
Free
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Besiktas
Free
James Milner
Brighton & Hove Albion
Free
Fabio Carvalho
RB Leipzig
Loan
Sepp van den Berg
Mainz 05
Loan
Calvin Ramsay
Preston North End
Loan
Nathaniel Phillips
Celtic
Loan
Rhys Williams
Aberdeen
Loan
Who could Liverpool sign in January?
Denzel Dumfries – Inter Milan: According to reports from Italy (via Caught Offside), Liverpool are ‘keen’ on signing Inter’s Denzel Dumfries.
The story revealed that the Reds are one of several Premier League clubs interested in the 27-year-old, alongside Manchester United and Chelsea.
The report goes on to state that a fee in the region of €40m (£35m) would be enough to tempt Inter into selling their defender, and while that isn’t cheap, it is certainly an attainable price for Premier League sides.
Dumfries has had a positive start to the season in Italy, starting eight games, winning one Player of the Match award and averaging a match rating of 7.24 in the league, per WhoScored.
He almost certainly wouldn’t replace Alexander-Arnold, but he would be a fantastic squad player and a valuable option for Jurgen Klopp.
Devyne Rensch – Ajax: According to Football Insider, Liverpool are ‘keeping tabs’ on exciting young Ajax full-back Devyne Rensch.
The publication has revealed that the club are looking for a new right-back that could seamlessly fit into Jurgen Klopp’s system while also being versatile enough to play more than just one role, and while he certainly favours the right-hand side, he has also played as a centre-back before.
There hasn’t been much talk about a potential fee in this deal, but given Ajax’s sale of Jurrien Timber in the summer, we can expect them to drive a fair bargain with the Reds.
Speaking of Timber, Liverpool’s most significant barrier to completing this deal might be the Dutchman’s current club. The same report that has linked Liverpool to Rensch has also revealed that the Gunners are monitoring the defender as well.
However, given the north Londoners’ recent purchase of Timber and abundance of full-backs, the Reds might still have the upper hand in any bidding war.
Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich: Tipped to acclaim the Ballon d’Or at some stage of his career, the German playmaker seems to be on every side’s wishlist across the continent.
Transfer insider Christian Falk took to X on Wednesday to report that Liverpool will face fierce competition from Premier League rivals Manchester City for his signature.
Musiala has also previously been linked with Chelsea, who had the talented forward on their books at youth level.
The 20-year-old, who has already amassed a remarkable 25 caps for his country, is a nominee for this year’s Golden Boy award after netting 16 goals whilst providing as many assists last season.
Bayern will certainly demand a sizable fee for their prized asset, one which would likely require the Reds to outlay a club-record fee, so perhaps a January move isn’t really feasible.
Mohammed Salah’s expected departure to the Saudi Pro League next year could help to facilitate any potential forthcoming transfer in the summer.
Ian Maatsen – Chelsea: According to TEAMtalk, the former Burnley loanee is set to depart Stamford Bridge in January and Liverpool are said to be a potential suitor.
Maatsen’s contract expires at the end of the season and the winter window appears to be Chelsea’s final opportunity to cash in on the left-back.
The Clarets had a £31.5m bid accepted in the summer but that move failed to materialise after the 21-year-old turned down the proposal.
The report notes that Jürgen Klopp is eager to strengthen at left-back and Maatsen is believed to be a target should they opt to dip into the January transfer market.
With Andrew Robertson currently facing a lengthy period on the sidelines after undergoing shoulder surgery, Klopp and his chiefs could accelerate their interest in the Dutch defender.
Goncalo Inacio – Sporting: As reported by 90min, Liverpool scouts were in attendance for Portugal’s thumping 5-0 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina recently.
The report claims that they were monitoring Sporting centre-back Goncalo Inacio, who picked up his fourth cap for Roberto MartÃnez’s team that evening.
The Reds have been tracking the 22-year-old for over a year as they continue to find successors for Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip, who are both nearing the twilight of their careers.
Sau Paulo’s Lucas Beraldo and Benfica’s Antonio Silva are also potential targets.
Pedro Neto – Wolves: Further to the previous report, 90min claims that The Reds are keeping a close eye on the Portuguese winger.
The fleet-footed wide player has impressed many this term and appears to be returning to form after a stuttered last couple of years, largely due to injury.
The 23-year-old has provided eight goal contributions in ten Premier League outings, including a marvellous solo effort goal against Luton Town.
However, the recent injury he sustained against Newcastle United could scupper any move this January.
Keep your eyes on this one.
Leroy Sane – Bayern Munich: According to the Mirror, Liverpool have made Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane their number-one transfer target.
The German is being viewed as a replacement for Mohamed Salah, and the Reds are willing to make him their club-record signing.
Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez is their current record transfer after they outlaid a whopping £85m to sign him from Benfica last summer.
Sane, 27, is also attracting interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid after his electrifying start to the season, netting eight times in nine Bundesliga outings.
Jürgen Klopp is believed to be spearheading the potential deal and would ‘love’ to bring his compatriot back to the Premier League after a three-year absence.
Salah is expected to join the Saudi Pro League next summer, so it remains to be seen whether any forthcoming move for Sane will materialise this winter or at the end of the season.
Michael Emenalo, the Saudi Pro League director of football, has publicly spoken about their desire to land the Egyptian winger: “Mo is welcome at any time. Mo is my personal favourite. There are many world-class players showing interest. It’s a place where you can go and have fun and definitely improve their economics.”
Kalvin Phillips – Manchester City: The i is claiming that Kalvin Phillips is willing to depart Pep Guardiola’s treble winners having opted to stay in the summer.
An Etihad exit was thought to be on the cards before the start of the season before Phillips vowed to fight for his place, but this time around, a move to pastures new appears more likely.
Liverpool are amongst the interested parties but won’t be unopposed, with Newcastle United and Everton also keeping an eye on the midfielder recently.
City selling to a Premier League rival as fierce as Liverpool would be a bold move, but it points to the dominance that they already hold.
Rico Lewis has been the player to step up in the absence of Rodri despite his tender years, and shows just how fragile Phillips’ future is at the club.
Andre – Fluminense: Football Insider has been told by sources that Jurgen Klopp and co are keen to make further additions in midfield.
The Reds previously had multiple bids rejected for Fluminense’s Andre but they are not deterred in their pursuit, with the interest set to be renewed in January.
Fluminense have reached the final of the Copa Libertadores and that competition was a primary motivation for them hanging on to the 22-year-old. This match will take place in November and then a transfer can surely be arranged between the two clubs.
Federico Chiesa – Juventus: Reports from Spain have revealed that both Liverpool and Manchester United are interested in signing Juventus and Italy forward Federico Chiesa this January.
The talented attacker would reportedly cost in excess of €70m (£61m) to sign. Still, given his talent, experience and positional versatility, he could prove to be a great addition to Klopp’s frontline.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed a brilliant start to the new Serie A campaign this year, starting seven games and scoring four goals.
Who could leave Liverpool in January?
Caoimhin Kelleher: Transfer insider Dean Jones told GiveMeSport in September that Celtic were looking to bring Liverpool reserve ‘keeper Kelleher to Parkhead in 2024, ideally in the January transfer window.
The Irishman has shown his quality in goal for the Reds, but with Alisson currently occupying the No 1 spot, he has little chance of any regular game time, and the Hoops need to sign a replacement for the ageing Joe Hart.
MailOnline revealed that Liverpool value the goalkeeper at around £20m.
One man who looks set to stay is Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian was the subject of a £150m bid by Saudi side Al-Ittihad in the summer, but a departure was never really on the cards in the club’s eyes.
It looks like it’ll be a similar story again in January, as TEAMtalk has reported that Al-Ittihad are preparing another monster offer worth around £215m to try to convince the Reds to sell in the winter. However, the same report suggests that once again, the club have zero interest in selling their talisman, regardless of the offer.
How could Liverpool line up in January?
How would these potential signings change Liverpool? Would they sit on the bench or make it into the starting lineup?
Well, Inacio’s possible arrival could see Matip dropped to the bench, though, it could also bring added rotation, which Pep Guardiola has seemingly pioneered in recent times.
Beraldo and Silva are both 19-years-old, so should they complete a switch to Merseyside, it may require a little more time to ease into Premier League action and new surroundings.
Neto, on the other hand, has already made just shy of 100 appearances in the division and will likely find it easier to slot straight into the starting eleven.
The Portuguese winger is familiar with the league’s intensity and has already displayed his capabilities playing at this level with the West Midlanders.
Though, the feasibility of that move taking place in January seems pretty unlikely and The Reds certainly won’t be short of competition.
Sane’s potential arrival would certainly excite many Reds fans after his sparkling performances in a Manchester City shirt. Many would expect him to slot seamlessly into the forward line, even if it is already littered with a number of top-quality operators.
The 56-cap Germany international could be set to replace Salah, who looks to be departing for Saudi Arabia, although Merseysiders may have to wait until next season to see their possible record signing in action as a winter arrival appears unlikely.
They’ll have the difficult task of fending off fierce competition from Real Madrid, who are also said to be eyeing a move for the fleet-footed winger.
The additions of Phillips or Andre would almost certainly give Jurgen Klopp something of a selection headache – not least in the case of the former, who will surely not be keen on leaving Manchester City simply to sit on the bench somewhere else.
However, Inacio may well be seen as a strong alternative to Konate and will be sure to challenge the Frenchman for a starting berth alongside Van Dijk. Similarly to Phillips, it would be difficult to imagine him leaving a top team to remain on the sidelines, and signing Inacio would surely see the 22-year-old start at centre-back in the long term, if not immediately.
And for as good as Chiesa and Malen are, it is tough to see them breaking into the starting XI with any regularity, at least for the time being. That said, you would expect them to make regular appearances from the bench and even be used as starters against lesser opposition or in cup competitions.
Their positional flexibility would also help them gain more minutes, as both can play across the frontline, which in turn would help Klopp rest his established star players more often, keeping them fresh and avoiding the burnout that arguably led to their disappointing campaign last year.
Overall, they may not necessarily be starters in a full-strength Liverpool side come January, but would make fantastic additions nonetheless. Therefore, this could be a window where the Reds bolster their backup options.
Bayern’s Musiala would certainly enter Klopp’s starting XI, though, that deal seems unrealistic, particularly midseason. Maatsen, on the other hand, appears a feasible January target and would provide great depth at left-back, should a deal be completed.
Potential Liverpool XI (4-3-3) – Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Inacio, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Sane.