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Key Takeaways
- Liverpool is not expected to sign a replacement for Conor Bradley due to his potential involvement in the World Cup
- The club is prioritizing a summer transfer window, with a focus on signing a new centre-back
- Ibrahima Konaté’s contract extension talks have stalled, and he is expected to leave on a free transfer
- Mohamed Salah is expected to stay at Liverpool until the end of his contract in 2027, but the club may consider parting ways if problems persist
- Liverpool is interested in signing Marc Guehi, but a January move is deemed unrealistic due to the player’s potential free agency and the high cost of convincing him to move mid-season
Introduction to Liverpool’s Transfer Plans
The Athletic’s transfer dealsheet column has provided valuable insights into Liverpool’s potential transfer business, with journalists David Ornstein and James Pearce offering updates on the club’s plans. According to Ornstein, Liverpool is not expected to sign a replacement for Conor Bradley, who has suffered an injury setback. As Ornstein notes, "depending on the outcome of his surgery, Bradley could be involved in the World Cup should Northern Ireland qualify; as such, the club does not consider a replacement signing necessary." This decision suggests that the club is confident in its current squad and is not willing to make any rash decisions in the January transfer window.
Centre-Back Situation
The centre-back position is an area of concern for Liverpool, with Ibrahima Konaté’s contract extension talks having stalled. As a result, Konaté is expected to leave the club on a free transfer in the summer. Additionally, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez’s contracts are also up in 2027, which means that the club will need to reinforce its defence in the near future. Ornstein notes that Liverpool is "keeping their powder dry for this summer, particularly given the developing centre-back situation." This suggests that the club is prioritizing its summer transfer business and is prepared to make significant signings to strengthen its defence.
Mohamed Salah’s Future
Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool has been a topic of discussion in recent weeks, with speculation surrounding his contract situation. However, according to Ornstein, Salah is expected to complete the season at Liverpool and fulfil his contract, which runs through 2027. As Ornstein notes, "should problems persist between Liverpool’s talisman and the club, they could start conversations about a parting of ways, but the hope is that the situation calms down and that he stays for the foreseeable future." This suggests that the club is committed to keeping Salah, but is also prepared to consider alternatives if the situation does not improve.
Marc Guehi Transfer Update
In James Pearce’s Liverpool-focused section, he expands further on the potential move for Marc Guehi. As it stands, Liverpool was expecting the player to stay at Palace until the end of the season, and that hasn’t changed, as a January move isn’t deemed as realistic. As Pearce notes, "the kind of financial package it would take to convince Guehi to make a move in January, over the lucrative options he would receive in the summer, would involve a big signing-on fee as well as agreeing on a hefty price with Palace." This suggests that a January move for Guehi is unlikely, and that Liverpool will have to wait until the summer to sign the player. Manchester City is also pushing to secure the player in this window, but would need to significantly overpay to do so.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Liverpool’s transfer plans are taking shape, with the club prioritizing its summer business and focusing on signing a new centre-back. The situation with Mohamed Salah is being closely monitored, but the club is committed to keeping him at Anfield. The potential move for Marc Guehi is also an interesting development, with the club likely to wait until the summer to sign the player. As the transfer window continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how Liverpool’s plans evolve and which players the club ultimately decides to sign.
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-transfer-news/78165/liverpool-fc-transfer-rumour-mongering-centre-back-to-be-focus-of-summer-konate-guehi-van-dijk-gomez-salah
