Liverpool are at the heart of a flurry of January transfer activity, with a major new target emerging and speculation swirling over the future of a key forward. The Reds have also confirmed their first signing of the winter window.
Reds Enter Race for £86m Manchester United Target
According to fresh reports, Liverpool have joined the chase for highly-rated RB Leipzig attacker Yan Diomande. The teenage sensation is also wanted by Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Bayern Munich, PSG and Barcelona.
United are said to have already made an offer for the player, but it falls short of Leipzig's hefty £86million valuation. With Diomande still having four and a half years left on his contract, the German club holds a strong negotiating position and is reluctant to sell this month, making a summer move more probable.
Federico Chiesa's Juventus Texts Revealed
In potential outgoing news, Italian winger Federico Chiesa is reportedly keen on a return to Juventus. Italian publication Tuttosport claims Chiesa has been in contact with former teammates Dusan Vlahovic, Manuel Locatelli and Federico Gatti about the prospect of a January switch back to Turin.
Juventus would need to pay around €10m (£8.9m) to re-sign the player they sold to Liverpool for €15m in 2024. The Anfield club is only interested in a permanent sale, not a loan, and Chiesa is said to be focusing solely on a Juventus return, ignoring other offers.
Liverpool Confirm First January Signing
Amid the speculation, Liverpool have officially announced the arrival of defender Mor Talla Ndiaye, subject to international clearance. The Senegal youth international joins the club's under-21 set-up from Amitie FC, a club owned by former Premier League striker Demba Ba.
Ndiaye represented Senegal at the Under-17 World Cup last year, helping his nation reach the knockout stages. The signing is seen as a move to bolster defensive options at the academy level, especially with Wellity Lucky now regularly involved with the senior squad due to injury issues.
The need for squad depth was highlighted again during Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Arsenal, where full-back Conor Bradley suffered an injury. Manager Arne Slot will now prepare his team for an FA Cup third-round tie against Barnsley on Monday, while the club's recruitment team continues its work behind the scenes.
