With January fast approaching, Liverpool looks to finally be taking big steps in order to keep its prized possessions.
According to The Athletic, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah have all now received new contract offers, and we will have to wait and see what the outcome of that process is. As 2024 draws to a close, it won’t be long until all three can negotiate with foreign clubs should they wish to do so.
And as Arne Slot’s side looks to push home its advantage in the Premier League in the New Year, the Reds may well look at some new faces in January, with the latest reports linking them with a battle with Real Madrid for a fullback - and it isn’t Alexander-Arnold.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the recent transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds, including claims of a free transfer from Bayern Munich.
Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
Liverpool has been scouting Alphonso Davies ahead of a potential free transfer next summer, according to Football Insider. The Bayern Munich star is out of contract at the end of the current season and will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement from January unless he signs a new deal at the Allianz Arena.
Real Madrid though is said to be leading the race for Davies’ signature. It is claimed that there would be hefty signing-on fee involved, with the 24-year-old also demanding high wages, although Liverpool supposedly feels it would be able to reach an agreement that works for both parties.
Get the 2024/2025 Liverpool home shirt
Buy the new Nike Liverpool home shirt here
The new Liverpool home shirt for the 2024/2025 season features a chrome yellow pattern design and is a modern take on the legendary '84 home shirt - a season which saw the Reds become European Champions for the fourth time in Rome and the first English Club to win a treble of major honours. You can buy it now.
£60-£125 Liverpool FC
Liverpool.com says: Real Madrid waiting to sign a fullback for free rather than give a European rival any sort of fee. Where have we heard that before?
In any case, you’d have to wonder whether Liverpool would be willing to go after Davies if the suggestions of hefty wage demands are true. He would certainly be an exciting signing, but it would almost feel like going back to square one signing such an attacking fullback given the work Arne Slot has put in trying to improve Trent Alexander-Arnold defensively this season.
Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
The door is open for Liverpool to sign Nico Williams, according to Spanish outlet TDF. The Athletic Bilbao forward was linked with the Reds during the summer, particularly after his impressive showings for Spain at Euro 2024.
Barcelona was also said to be in the running, although with Raphinha showing great form this season, it’s suggested the Catalan club is unlikely to make a move for Williams. That could therefore allow Liverpool to make a move for the 22-year-old.
Liverpool.com says: Does Liverpool really need another left winger? Unless one of Luis Diaz or Cody Gakpo leaves in the summer, you wouldn’t think so.
Williams is capable of playing on the right, but you would much rather have someone whose speciality is that position, especially if Salah ends up moving on – which, hopefully, he won’t.