Liverpool will start making plans for next year's transfer windows
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
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The summer transfer window may have just closed but plans will soon have to start being made for January and beyond. Liverpool made six summer signings, addressing some areas of the squad.
Andoni Iraola would have expected a busier window with the Reds still light in midfield and on the right flank. The next two windows offer Liverpool the chance fill the gaps in their squad. Here, the ECHO examines the players Liverpool can sign in the winter and next summer.
Adam Wharton
Liverpool have previously been linked with a move for the 22-year-old but Crystal Palace have been hugely reluctant to sell one of their prized assets. The defensive midfielder would be an astute signing for the Reds and would bolster a highly problematic position.
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His contract isn't up until 2029 but Liverpool legend Phil Thompson is convinced. Speaking on BOYLE Sports and Footy Accumulators’ podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football, he said: “Adam Wharton is a player that I would be interested in signing for Liverpool. I can’t understand why nobody, in all this transfer merry-go-round, hasn't picked him up this summer."
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton(Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock)
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Lamine Camara
Chelsea were left furious on deadline day after a £47.1m deal to sign Camara from Monaco collapsed. It was then reported by talkSPORT that Liverpool told the player 'to wait' and that a deal to sign him next summer was possible.
Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro revealed the star had asked to leave the club, but added that he had since spoken to Camara and reassured him that he would secure a major transfer 'very soon'.
Lamine CAMARA of AS Monaco during the Ligue 1 McDonald's match between Monaco and Marseille at Louis II Stadium on August 30, 2026 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Ewen Gavet/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Lamine Camara's move to Chelsea collapsed amid reports Liverpool called the player and Monaco(Image: Getty Images)
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Whether this opens the door for Liverpool to swoop for him in 2027 is uncertain. The combative midfielder is out of contract in 2029 so would still cost a significant amount.
Malo Gusto
Liverpool reportedly made an attempt to try and sign Chelsea star Gusto on transfer deadline day. Transfer expert Fabrice Hawkins revealed that Liverpool had made contact regarding a potential loan deal.
Malo Gusto of Chelsea reacts during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea and Real Sociedad
Malo Gusto was linked with a transfer switch to Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images))
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The west London side are said to have instead "pushed" for a permanent transfer, but Liverpool were equally reluctant.
Gusto has a contract until 2030 but with the Reds in need of right-back reinforcements, the 23-year-old Frenchman could still be an option come next summer.
Yankuba Minteh
Another one that got away for Liverpool. The club saw two bids for the right winger, in the region of £50m and £60m, turned down by Brighton.
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Yankuba Minteh of Brighton And Hove Albion looks on during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford at Amex Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Liverpool could resurrect a deal for Yankuba Minteh if Brighton & Hove Albion lower their asking price(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
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The 22-year-old Gambian has a huge ceiling. With Liverpool still light on the right next summer could be the time to test Brighton's resolve once again, despite his contract running until 2029.
Ismaila Sarr
The Reds needed to add reinforcements in wide attacking areas following the departure of Mohamed Salah. A move for the Crystal Palace star was sparked after Iraola's side walked away from the move for Minteh due to the Seagulls' demands.
Ismaila Sarr was denied a move to Liverpool.
Ismaila Sarr was denied a move to Liverpool.(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool made checks on Sarr this summer. However, while reports of a £50m bid being rejected have been dismissed, he could become available next year with his contract at Selhurst Park up in 2029.
Aurelien Tchouameni
Liverpool have long admired the Real Madrid midfielder, dating back to when he was plying his trade at Monaco. He was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United this year with his contract in the Spanish capital up in the summer of 2028.
Aurelien Tchouameni of France
Aurelien Tchouameni has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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It might be a bit of a long shot with Madrid no doubt in the mood to command a hefty fee for the 26-year-old. But the reality is that next summer could represent the ideal landscape for Liverpool to move for the world-class defensive midfielder.
Fikayo Tomori
A player with both Premier League and Champions League experience would cater to Liverpool's backline as they seek reinforcements with Virgil van Dijk's contract up in 2028.
A successful loan spell at Milan in 2021 led to Tomori's permanent acquisition and he's since become a key player for the club, winning the Serie A title in 2022 and the Supercoppa Italiana in 2025.
Fikayo Tomori during the match between AC Milan and Internazionale FC at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia, on August 5, 2026. (Photo by John Carusi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Fikayo Tomori was linked with Liverpool(Image: John Carusi/NurPhoto)
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The Reds have been linked with a move for the former England international and there is the added bonus that Tomori's contract is set to expire next year. It's not a high-profile name but the ex-Chelsea man could be a shrewd acquisition on a free transfer.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
It couldn't happen, could it? The fact is, Alexander-Arnold's career at Real Madrid since leaving Liverpool in the summer of 2025 has not gone to plan.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was left on the bench during Real Madrid's latest La Liga game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was left on the bench during Real Madrid's latest La Liga game.(Image: Urbanandsport/NurPhoto)
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His issues have compounded over the summer, with Denzel Dumfries joining the club to compete for the right-back spot. New manager Jose Mourinho has benched the star for the first two games of this season, too, although he has since started a La Liga game against Malaga.
The Reds have missed their mercurial right-back and he looks a shadow of his former self without them. He could cost a pretty penny with being contracted until 2031 but it could be a move that makes sense for all parties.