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Liverpool set to seal three deals before the January transfer window deadline tonight
Liverpool set to seal three deals before the January transfer window deadline tonight
The January transfer window closes at 11 pm tonight, and Liverpool could yet do a few deals before then.
Liverpool is likely to have a low-key January transfer deadline day today, but given how unpredictable the final few hours of the winter transfer season can be, numerous moves are still possible.
With the acquisition of attacker Cody Gakpo from PSV for an initial £37 million, the Reds have only made just one signing so far this month.
Despite needing midfielders, Jurgen Klopp’s team appears content to wait until the summer to make changes to their squad.
The top target is Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund will then become available as Naby Keita, James Milner, and Alex Oxlade-contracts Chamberlain expire.
Another target is Matheus Nunes of the Wolves. Liverpool decided not to sign the Portugal international last summer, and they would have done so this month if it weren’t for FIFA regulations that prevent him from joining the Merseyside club until the following campaign.
This is because he has already appeared for Sporting Lisbon and Wolves this season.
One midfielder who could potentially be a late addition today though is Sheffield United’s, Sander Berge.
Liverpool’s interest in the Norwegian dates back to his days at Genk, who they played in the Champions League group stages in 2019-20. Genk’s sporting director back then confirmed the Premier League giants were following him “carefully”.
The 24-year-old did not play for Sheffield United against Wrexham in the FA Cup on Sunday and manager Paul Heckingbottom explained: “He’s not here because we have been asked not to use him. Our club is speaking to other clubs regarding him. It’s a club decision to protect that asset.”
The Blades must settle their debts and are subject to a transfer embargo. Berge might sell for less than the club-record £22 million they forked for in 2020. That makes it possible for a last-minute swoop.
However, Newcastle are also looking into a deal and appears to be the more likely contender now that Jonjo Shelvey has been permitted to go for Nottingham Forest.
Klopp, after all, said at the weekend: “No, no, nothing will happen in this transfer window. That’s it, all good.” And the German is unlikely to be bluffing. More likely is that Liverpool’s final 24 hours of the window will be concentrated on exits.
But there might not be as many of those as in past years. The Reds are not in a position to let many players leave, but backup defender Nat Phillips is on the verge of leaving.
Although a loan-to-buy arrangement is also possible, Phillips might be moving to Galatasaray for £10 million.
The solid defender, who only stayed in the summer owing to Virgil van Dijk’s injury, is much sought after by German clubs. In order to make Phillips’ departure possible, Rhys Williams has been called back from a loan stint at Blackpool.
In other news, Report: Liverpool could land Chelsea star N’Golo Kante in shocking deal