Liverpool confirmed the signing of Ryan Gravenberch late on transfer deadline day – and they may already have two deals in the pipeline for January. Gravenberch was the last of four summer additions, all of whom were midfielders.
Gravenberch, 21, arrives for £35million to join Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Dominik Szoboszlai at Anfield. The four come in after multiple high-profile departures such as captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, who left for the Saudi Pro League.
The Reds were also rocked by Saudi Arabian interest in Mohamed Salah. A bid worth up to £150m was rejected from Al Ittihad, Fabinho’s new club. But it has been claimed the Middle Eastern outfit would be willing to raise their offer to a world-record £200m.
The Saudis can still make signings until September 7 despite the window for Premier League clubs now being closed. Liverpool hope to cling on to the Egyptian until at least next summer but they already have a winger in their sights who could act as Salah’s long-term replacement.
PSV’s Johan Bakayoko is one who they may look to sign in January. The Reds have a history of recruiting players in advance of others leaving. Luis Diaz joined in January 2022 before Sadio Mane’s summer exit, while Cody Gakpo joined this January before Roberto Firmino left six months later.
Bakayoko, 20, is a left-footed right-sided winger blessed with pace and brilliant on the ball, much like Salah. The Belgium international attracted interest from Brentford but rejected a £34m switch in order to play in the Champions League.
PSV, in a group with Arsenal, Sevilla and Lens, could be out of the competition in January. If they are, the Eredivisie club will be vulnerable to losing Bakayoko and Liverpool could firm up their interest and make a bid.
Especially because Liverpool know if they don’t get him in the next few days, the Saudis will go big for Salah next summer when he enters the last 12 months of his contract. Getting Bakayoko in would allow them to have a replacement already in the building.
Klopp and co could also sign another midfielder in January. Thiago Alcantara is out of contract at the end of this season and will depart as a free agent. Liverpool could recruit an exciting replacement for the 32-year-old in January in Andre from Fluminense.
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They showed interest this summer in the Brazilian, 22, this summer but Fluminense’s progress in the Copa Libertadores meant a deal was impossible. But the Merseyside club remain interested in the player, who profiles similarly to Spaniard Thiago.
Andre has a release clause of £34m in his contract but could go for even less than that in January. And signing the South American would allow Liverpool to further future-proof their midfield, and avoid them needing to sign another midfielder in the 2024 summer window.
That would allow Klopp’s focus to be on restructuring his defence and possibly even recruiting more forwards if his main goal-getter Salah leaves as expected.
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