Liverpool tipped for huge January splash with £30m midfield signing lined up
Liverpool could complete their midfield rebuild as soon as the January window opens its doors, with a fifth addition touted in a £30m move, per a report.
A full-scale revamp in central areas was always on the cards at Anfield this summer. Indeed, with James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leaving as free agents, numerous arrivals were required.
However, the need to add three or four rather than one or two became clear once Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were lured to Saudi Arabia.
Elsewhere, Leighton Clarkson joined Aberdeen outright, while the option to buy in Arthur Melo’s loan deal was ignored.
Liverpool moved quickly when landing Alexis Mac Allister (£35m) and Dominik Szoboszlai (£60m) from Brighton and RB Leipzig respectively.
Failed moves for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia – who both joined Chelsea – dampened spirits. However, the £16m arrival of Wataru Endo from Stuttgart and the deadline day capture of Ryan Gravenberch (Bayern Munich – initial £34.3m) lifted the gloom.
But according to the Liverpool Echo, a fifth midfield addition may well be on the cards come January.
Liverpool eyeing Brazil international Andre
Indeed, Liverpool chased Fluminense and Brazil international, Andre Trindade, during the recent summer window.
Sky Sports claimed the 22-year-old was ‘sold’ on the idea of joining the Reds who reportedly sent a verbal offer to the tune of €30m (£25.5m).
However, Fluminense made it crystal clear they would not entertain a mid-season sale, especially while still competing in the Copa Libertadores.
That competition is the South American equivalent of the Champions League and Fluminense had progressed to the knockout rounds.
Fluminense wrapped up a 5-1 aggregate win over Paraguayan side Olimpia on Thursday to advance to the semi-final stages. As such, the chances of Liverpool securing a last-gasp swoop before Friday’s 11pm deadline day disintegrated.
But per the Liverpool Echo – who cite a slightly higher transfer valuation of £30m – the move could be reignited in January when the Brazilian domestic season has concluded.
The report states a January 2024 exit ‘will now be in Andre’s sights’. What’s more, Liverpool will be just six months away from losing Thiago Alcantara as a free agent at that time.
As such, the report concludes Liverpool could bring Andre in as their would-be replacement for Thiago. Signing a replacement in the year leading up to an expected exit is a strategy Liverpool have employed on numerous occasions of late.
Indeed, Luis Diaz was signed six months before Sadio Mane was sold. Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo both joined in the year leading up to Roberto Firmino’s free agent exit.
Elsewhere, as yet unverified reports have emerged that claim Liverpool are already in discussions with Fluminense over Andre’s January switch.
MOHAMMED SALAH: Liverpool fears mounting as new world-record fee is prepped; Klopp told to ‘rebuild squad’ with sale to Al-Ittihad
