There are less than two weeks remaining in the January transfer window and it’s been relatively quiet for Liverpool so far.
Jurgen Klopp has resisted the temptation to splash the cash in the mid-season window, with returning loanees the only movement so far. Fabio Carvalho was recalled from RB Leipzig and then immediately loaned to Hull and Rhys Williams came back from Aberdeen, only to be sent to Port Vale.
Meanwhile, Calvin Ramsay (Preston), Nat Phillips (Celtic), Owen Beck (Dundee), James Balagizi (Wigan) and Billy Koumetio (USL Dunkerque) have all returned to Merseyside for the time being, although they could be on the move again soon.
Of course, those sorts of moves aren’t what Liverpool fans are craving this month, with a new centre-back top of most people’s wish lists following the injury to Joel Matip. Signing Kylian Mbappe wouldn’t hurt either. Here are the latest rumours regarding the club.
Inacio ‘waiting’ for Liverpool
One of the central defenders who has been linked with Liverpool is Sporting Lisbon star Goncalo Inacio. The 22-year-old is very highly rated, but is under contract with Sporting until June 2027.
However, he has a release clause of €60million (£52m) in that contract and is therefore attracting plenty of transfer attention. Real Madrid and Arsenal are among those who have been linked previously and there have been developments.
Portuguese newspaper O Jogo says Inacio has rejected an offer from Newcastle because he is waiting for Liverpool, Manchester United or Real to come calling. It’s been claimed that Liverpool have been putting in calls to the agents of centre-backs to explore the market. But it seems unlikely they would pay £52m this month – they are more likely to wait until the summer to bolster their defence.
Reds return for Shakhtar star
Liverpool are reportedly in the race to sign Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Georgiy Sudakov. Calciomercato claims that the Reds were close to landing Sudakov last summer and have now returned for the 21-year-old midfielder.
Shakhtar are reportedly demanding at least €40m (£34m) Sudakov, due in part to the interest from Italy, where Juventus and Napoli are leading the chase. Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City are also interested apparently. Sudakov has 12 caps for Ukraine and has 13 goals and 13 assists in 85 games for Shakhtar.
Ramsay wanted for another loan
Ramsay was recalled from his loan at Preston, having made just two appearances at Deepdale. He has struggled with injuries since joining Liverpool from Aberdeen for £4m in June 2022, but could be on the move again.
That’s because Leeds are reportedly interested in acquiring his services until the end of the season. The Daily Mail says that Leeds need cover at right-back after both Djed Spence and Luke Ayling left.
They have been linked with other options, including Nottingham Forest ’s former Liverpool man Neco Williams, Burnley ’s Conor Roberts and West Ham ’s Ben Johnson. Liverpool may decide it’s best to keep hold of Ramsay, given his recent history.
