Leeds given January signing hope as Liverpool decide to sell full-back

Klopp.Bielsa.TEAMtalk

Leeds United could reportedly sanction a January deal for Liverpool left-back Yasser Larouci after he was given the green light to leave Anfield.

Larouci, 20, is now in the final six months of his deal at Anfield. Talks over an extension have failed and Liverpool are resigned to the Algerian’s exit.

And with Andy Robertson and summer signing Kostas Tsimikas ahead of him in the pecking order, Larouci is therefore free to leave.

Leeds first held talks over a deal for Larouci over the summer, but could not agree terms with Liverpool.

As per reports, Liverpool were demanding £2m for the youngster. Leeds though felt the fee was too high with the player only having two senior appearances – both in the FA Cup – to his name.

However, they could have more joy this month with Liverpool now ready to sanction his sale for even less.

As per Football Insider, Larouci has knocked back Liverpool’s bid to tie him down to a fresh contract. As such, the Reds would prefer to get money for him now than let him walk away as a free agent this summer.

The article suggests Leeds, as well as Norwich, could make their move this month.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side went into this season with a senior recognised left-back. The versatile Stuart Dallas has filled in to good effect in the main. However, winger Gjanni Alioski has also covered the position. Largely-untried youngster Leif Davis offers another option.

Larouci is unlikely to be the only defender to leave Liverpool this month. The Reds have also decided to listen to loan offers for centre-half Sepp van den Berg.


Subscribe for free to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…


Leeds tipped to bring in another striker

Leeds’ winder-upper-in-chief, Gabriel Agbonlahor, meanwhile, has tipped the club to sign another striker this month.

Rodrigo Moreno signed for a £26.9m fee from Valencia this summer and has had to play in a wirthdrawn No 10 role.

But given a chance up front for the rested Patrick Bamford against Crawley and he struggled to make an impact.

Rodrigo Leeds

Now, pundit Agbonlahor has backed Leeds to bring in a replacement backup frontman.

“I think most managers would want three strikers,” he said.

“Bamford has been great this season but if he gets an injury can you rely on Rodrigo?

“As much as everyone is on the case for Leeds for that performance it can happen.

“I’ve played in games in the FA Cup where there can be an upset because if you’re not playing at 100 per cent you can get turned over by any club, no matter what level they are and I think that’s what happened to Leeds. Crawley just wanted it more and that can happen in football.

“He [Bielsa] will be disappointed and he might look at bringing in another striker who can come in and fill in for Bamford when he’s rested or injured.”

READ MORE: Liverpool, Leeds in the hunt for impressive French defensive starlet