Liverpool are preparing to face Brighton in the fourth round of the FA Cup this weekend – but they also have one eye on the final stages of the January transfer window.
It has been quiet at Anfield since they moved fast at the start of the month to land Cody Gakpo ahead of Manchester United. Gakpo is still settling into his new surroundings on Merseyside, with Liverpool stuck in a rut under Jurgen Klopp.
While it seems unlikely they will make any more signings in the final five days of the window, they are already gearing up for what promises to be a crucial summer. The rebuilding of the midfield is the priority – and here are the latest rumours surrounding their plans.
Reds ‘favourites’ for Bellingham
Liverpool remain in pole position to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham in the summer, according to Sky Sports.
Bellingham is Jurgen Klopp’s number one target for the summer and the Liverpool boss is ‘pushing’ to land him amid competition from the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Sky Germany say there is ‘no chance’ Dortmund can keep the 19-year-old and therefore want to maximise the fee for his signature.
The German club think they can command between €100m and €150m (£88m-£132m) for him. BILD believes such a fee might be beyond Liverpool’s financial power.
Brighton lead Oxlade-Chamberlain pursuit
Brighton are targeting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, according to the Daily Mail. The Seagulls lost Leandro Trossard to Arsenal this month and are looking for reinforcements.
Like Naby Keita and James Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain is out of contract with Liverpool in June. It remains to be seen whether the club move him on this month, or allow him to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Brighton are not the only Premier League side to have shown an interest in the 29-year-old midfielder. It is thought that clubs are reluctant to fork out a transfer fee in the coming days when they know he will be available for free in the summer.
Bayern star to stay despite agent visit
Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is going to stay with the German club.
Rumours swirled around the former Ajax man on the weekend after his agent Rafaela Pimenta was photographed outside Anfield ahead of Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea on Saturday.
The 20-year-old joined Bayern from Ajax in the summer in a deal worth up to £20m, but has struggled for regular game time with the German giants. Nevertheless, he is not thinking of moving on already, according to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg.
"It's decided and no doubt: He has to stay at #FCBayern," tweeted Plettenberg. "No transfer in January. Within the club they still believe in him. A loan to Liverpool or to another club is NO topic."
