Christmas is over and that means Liverpool and the rest of the clubs competing for trophies this season will soon have the opportunity to improve their squads. The January transfer window is approaching. Jurgen Klopp has dismissed Liverpool’s chances of signing a centre-back. “You always talk about moving like it’s the easiest thing in the world,” he said at a news conference earlier this month. “They all need money, it has to be the right players. We still have four centre-backs. Is there a club that would like to sell their best midfielder? Tell me please… “It comes after Joel Matip could be ruled out for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
However, since then Kostas Tsimikas has suffered a jaw injury and Andy Robertson remains missing. While Joe Gomez is now Liverpool’s starting left-back, Jarrell Quansah is the only back-up to Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. A little more depth at centre-back would allay fears and help Liverpool stay in contention. On all fronts late in the campaign. With that in mind, let’s take a look at Liverpool.com’s take on the transfer gossip surrounding the Reds today.
Liverpool have slashed their chances of finding a suitable centre-back in the January transfer window but have been linked with Bayer Leverkusen star Piero Hincapy. But with Ecuador and the Premier League showing interest in Jonathan Ta, German outlet Kicker report that Xabi Alonso will not allow any players to leave next month. Tah has a $20 million release clause but won’t be active until the summer. Hincapie hasn’t played much this season, but the 21-year-old is one of the highest-rated young defenders in Europe.
Leverkusen are currently top of the Bundesliga and are looking to make the most of their promising situation. As for the centre-back, Sportitalia journalist Alfredo Pudella has stated on his personal website that Liverpool and Fulham have made inquiries about the Fluminense defender. Nino. Roma and Feyenoord are also looking at him. Nino, a 26-year-old ball-playing centre-back, has just one year on his contract. His current contract has a $7.7 million release clause, so he could be a steal.
