Today's Liverpool FC transfer news sees one player linked with a shock return to Italy, while a new defender could be set to join the Reds
Liverpool players including Federico Chiesa training at AXA training centre. Chiesa bears a serious expression.
Federico Chiesa is being linked with a return to Juventus(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Five days into the January transfer window, the rumour mill is picking up pace. Though Liverpool fans have been warned to expect another quiet January, various incomings and outgoings continue to be mooted.
Liverpool have struggled defensively this season and continue to be linked to a number of central defenders, though speculation still rages over Marc Guéhi, whose contract at Crystal Palace expires at the end of the season. With the homegrown quota in effect in the Premier League and in UEFA competition, Liverpool may need to lose some squad players before they buy - so expect plenty of speculation around outgoings too.Here, we round up the latest gossip and rumours on Liverpool's potential transfer dealings.
Chiesa return to Turin?
Federico Chiesa in training kit with raised eyebrows.
Liverpool's Federico Chiesa before the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. Picture date: Sunday January 4, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
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(Image: PA)
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has claimed on X (Twitter) that Juventus have made formal contact for Liverpool attacker Federico Chiesa. The Kop favourite was Arne Slot's only signing in the summer of 2024, joining from the Turin side for up to £12.5 million, but could be set to make a shock return to his former club. The Reds need to sell to free up space for more non-homegrown players, having previously left Chiesa out of their Champions League squad before Giovani Leoni's season-ending injury.
Romano said: "Juventus made formal contact to show interest in Federico Chiesa over possible return in January. Juve are looking to add +1 winger this month and Chiesa is appreciated. Decision up to Liverpool and the player, still early stages."
A Liverpool exit this month now looks more likely for the Italian, who has only started one Premier League game this season, although the Reds remain tight-lipped on his future for now.
Senegalese defender to sign?
Reports from his native country have claimed Liverpool are set to sign Senegal U17 international centre-half El Hadji Mor Talla Ndiaye, who will turn 18 this Tuesday.
Senegalese journalist Saikou Seydi broke the news on X (Twitter), which has since been picked up by national outlets in the player's home country.
The defender, who currently plays for Amitié FC in Senegal, is expected "to sign for Liverpool in the coming days", having impressed at the U17 World Cup in Qatar. He is set to be joined in the summer by Austrian U17 international Ifeanyi Ndukwe. Both defenders will likely join Liverpool's academy ranks with a view to developing further before being exposed to first team action.
Ordóñez "could end up at Liverpool"
Joel Ordonez turns on the ball in the Champions League game against Arsenal.
EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Winter/Shutterstock (16009951kw) Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge Club Brugge v Arsenal, UEFA Champions League, Group Stage, Football, Jan Breydel Stadium, Brugge, Belgium - 10 Dec 2025
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Contrasting reports have circulated around Club Brugge's 21-year-old centre-half Joel Ordóñez, who was the subject of strong links to Liverpool from his home country of Ecuador on New Years Day.
Club Brugge subsequently named him in their 30-man squad for a warm weather training camp in Marbella, pouring cold water on claims he was close to joining the Reds.
However, his first coach, Luis Medina, has thrown this conclusion into doubt once again in an interview with Diario Expreso (via ESPN Deportes).
Medina said: "Joel was a quiet kid, very skinny, reserved. He was actually a striker, and now he could end up at Liverpool as a defender. There are things God does that can't be understood."
Though Medina could be speaking with the insight of insider knowledge, it's more likely he was commenting on the rumours and this is no indication that a move for the Ecuadorian is imminent.
Salah's agent takes aim at "scum"
Mohamed Salah with eyes downcast as he steps out for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Egypt's Mohamed Salah enters the stadium during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Egypt and South Africa in Agadir, Morocco, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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Ramy Abbas Issa, the outspoken Colombian agent of Mohamed Salah, has once again aimed thinly-veiled barbs at those claiming to have insider information on the status of his client. While his tweet is vague, it does not require much unpicking with the agent expected to hold talks with Anfield representatives while Salah is on Egypt duty at AFCON in Morocco.
Abbas said: "Happy new year to everyone except to the slaves of machines with screens and the scum that use said machines to show off or seek attention."
A protective agent, lawyer and adviser, Abbas has named Salah as his client since the Egyptian forward's Fiorentina days, overseeing successful transfers to Roma and Liverpool. After the 33-year-old's outburst following the 3-3 draw at Leeds United, Abbas stayed silent. Like his client, he rarely speaks publicly, but when he does, he makes his feelings heard.
Reds "enter race" for Dutch wonderkid
Kees Smit controls the ball for AZ Alkmaar up against two players of PEC Zwolle.
ZWOLLE, NETHERLANDS - DECEMBER 3: Kees Smit of AZ Alkmaar runs with the ball during the Dutch EuroJackpot KNVB Beker match between PEC Zwolle and AZ Alkmaar at MAC3PARK Stadion on December 3, 2025 in Zwolle, Netherlands. (Photo by Ed van de Pol/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
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Newcastle World has claimed an exclusive report on the future of 19-year-old AZ Alkmaar starlet Kees Smit, who was previously the subject of transfer interest from Newcastle United.
Newcastle United editor Liam Kennedy claimed the Magpies were hoping to avoid a summer bidding war for the Dutch U21 international, who is considered one of the most promising midfielders in Europe. Smit was named player of the tournament at the UEFA European U19 Championship last year, his Netherlands side winning the trophy for the first time.
Kennedy went on to claim Liverpool and Real Madrid are "also in for [Smit]", who is valued at £40 million, and any Newcastle deal for the player is "now highly unlikely."
One to watch for the summer, perhaps.
Van Hecke "one to watch" - open to Liverpool move
Jan Paul van Hecke looks up for the pass as he runs with the ball for Brighton and Hove Albion.
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Mick Brown, former chief scout at Manchester United and Blackburn, has told Football Insider that Brighton centre-half Jan Paul van Hecke is on Liverpool's radar, and "would want to join" the Reds if a move is made.
Brown said: "I'm not convinced he will want to stay at Brighton. He's got the bright lights of the Champions League in his mind now, and it's hard to turn that down especially when Brighton are struggling a bit.
"They've lost some key players and dropped off a bit from where they were when he signed. Liverpool have been keeping an eye on him because of their situation, and if he becomes available for whatever reason, they may well make a move. Tottenham also want reinforcements and he's somebody who's been on their radar for a while.
"If Brighton keep struggling like they have been recently, then that opportunity might come up, and it's certainly one I think will appeal to him. Say Liverpool come in for him, I think he'd want to join them rather than staying at Brighton. Whether it happens in January, I'm not sure, because Brighton don't want to lose him and especially not mid-way through the season, but he'll be one to watch."
Brown's suggestion that Spurs could be in for the 25-year-old Dutchman does not exactly make sense if Champions League football is van Hecke's priority. Having previously linked Liverpool to Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies in summer 2025, a move which never emerged, this should be taken with a grain of salt.
Other reports today
Ryan Gravenberch makes a run in the game against Fulham.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 04: Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage on January 04, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Izzy Poles - AMA/Getty Images)
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Fichajes has claimed Real Madrid have submitted a €120 million offer for Ryan Gravenberch, the 23-year-old having "all the qualities to lead the team's new era." They also report Liverpool don't want to sell - you don't say! - and any move could be revisited in the summer. This, thankfully, smacks of easy clicks and is not credible unless more reliable journalists provide any further updates.
AS has claimed Crystal Palace have "offered" Adam Wharton to Real Madrid, who have not yet decided on a move for the 21-year-old England midfielder. Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are also said to be interested alongside Liverpool in securing Wharton's signature. There seems little sense in Palace "offering" their most prized asset to Real, however, when a bidding war is likely to give them the best return on their investment.
CaughtOffside's Mark Brus has claimed "sources" have informed him that Carlos Baleba "remains a top target for a number of big clubs", including Liverpool, Spurs and Bayern Munich. The Brighton midfielder, though, has been most heavily linked with Manchester United and a deal is considered much more likely to happen in the summer.
The Brighton Base suggested in response to the report that Brighton could demand Joe Gomez as a makeweight in any deal for Baleba.
Sport.fr has claimed Liverpool are "monitoring" 23-year-old English defender Charlie Cresswell, who currently plies his trade for Toulouse FC. The Reds are said to be interested alongside Newcastle and Man City in the centre-half, who is valued at €25 million. Interestingly, Toulouse are owned by RedBird Capital Partners, who own a minority share in FSG and also have links to City owner Sheikh Mansour - but this is more likely just a case of putting two and two together.
Matteo Moretto via Marca has claimed that Barcelona are set to rival Liverpool for Alessandro Bastoni. Barca, however, who continue to struggle financially, could struggle to meet Inter's €95 million valuation, and are hoping the Nerazzuri will accept an offer in the region of €70-80 million. Inter, however, are understandably seeking to tie the Italian centre-half down to a new deal.
According to Fichajes, Real Madrid executive Florentino Pérez "vetoed" a move for Ibrahima Konaté, who "doesn't meet the demands required to compete in La Liga and Europe at the highest level". Ouch. News previously broke last month that Los Blancos were withdrawing their interest in the Liverpool defender.