Liverpool have agreed a blockbuster £61m deal for the summer, but Arne Slot has been dealt a blow with another target as the January transfer window is set to slam shut
Kieran King Sports Writer and Neil Docking
09:18, 02 Feb 2026
Arne Slot is short of defenders and needs signings on transfer deadline day
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Arne Slot is short of defenders and needs signings on transfer deadline day
Liverpool are facing a race against the clock to complete their January transfer dealings.
The reigning Premier League champions are said to have got one huge deal over the line - but it's for a player who will not arrive until the summer and they are still eager to bolster their squad before Monday's 7pm cut-off point. Lutsharel Geertruida had surfaced as a late option to strengthen the club's defence and midfield, given the Netherlands international previously worked under Arne Slot at Feyenoord.
But that move now looks unlikely to materialise - meaning an alternative must be found. Galatasaray's Roland Sallai is another who has been connected with a switch to Merseyside as Slot attempts to inject additional attacking threat into his squad for the rest of the campaign, at minimum. Here's all the latest news from Anfield.
Jeremy Jacquet is closing in on a move to Liverpool
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Jeremy Jacquet is closing in on a move to Liverpool(Image: (Ramsey Cardy - Sportsfile/UEFA via Getty Images))
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Jacquet package
Liverpool have secured a deal to bring Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Merseyside club have been persistently linked with the 20-year-old defender and now seem to have fast-tracked an agreement for the upcoming transfer window, reports the Mirror.
Reports suggest the Reds have finalised a £52million plus £8.6m in add-ons package to land Jacquet on a lengthy deal when the summer window opens.
Rennes were unwilling to part with the France Under-21 star in January but have consented to his departure at the season's conclusion.
Jacquet, who has also attracted attention from Chelsea and Bayern Munich, has settled on personal terms with Liverpool.
Geertruida development
WARSAW, POLAND - 2025/11/14: Lutsharel Geertruida of Netherlands seen in action during the European World Cup Qualifiers 2026 football match between Poland and Netherlands at PEG Narodowy Stadium. Final score; Poland 1:1 Netherlands. (Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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Lutsharel Geertruida(Image: Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Liverpool are unlikely to complete the signing of Lutsharel Geertruida before January's transfer deadline closes, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Sunday morning brought claims that the Reds had been presented with an opportunity to cut short Geertruida's loan spell at Sunderland and secure his services until the campaign ends.
It would have been a dream transfer for Slot as the versatile defender who can play across the backline was his former captain at Feyenoord and can play across the backline - making him the perfect solution for a defensive injury crisis.
Arne Slot is short of defenders and needs signings on transfer deadline day
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Arne Slot is short of defenders and needs signings on transfer deadline day(Image: Getty Images)
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Nevertheless, Sunderland cannot approve the transfer currently as insufficient time remains to locate a replacement ahead of Monday's 7pm cut-off.
Geertruida, who moved to the Black Cats on loan from RB Leipzig last summer, was keen on the switch and Liverpool were ready to complete the signing.
The anticipation at the Stadium of Light is that Geertruida will prepare normally for Monday's Premier League encounter with Burnley, scheduled to kick off one hour after the deadline expires.