It has been confirmed that Liverpool is not seeking to sign a defender in the January transfer window.
The club’s unsuccessful attempt to acquire Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace last summer indicates that there will likely be no new push for the player until the following summer, when he is set to become a free agent.
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Consequently, it seemed Liverpool had settled on their target and were not considering alternatives. However, with the recent ACL injury to Giovanni Leoni, the club may need to reassess their options, opening up a variety of possibilities for the winter transfer market.
Recent reports suggest that two players are particularly being eyed for a potential move to Merseyside.
‘We need to keep an eye on…’
Graeme Bailey from TBR Football identifies five key players Liverpool could target, with two defenders emerging as the most promising options.
He stated, “For January, we should watch someone like [Joel] Ordonez – the young Ecuadorian talent from Brugge, or perhaps Taras Mykhavko from Kyiv – Liverpool is exploring multiple avenues.”
Both players are under the age of 22, aligning well with Liverpool’s strategy to recruit younger talent, and both have established themselves as regular starters, providing valuable experience. They represent ideal targets for the club.
If Liverpool chooses to bring in a new addition during the January transfer window, it will need to align with the development strategy formulated by Richard Hughes’ recruitment team. It is crucial to balance the infusion of impactful players who are ready to contribute immediately with a forward-looking approach.
The report also mentions Nico Schlotterbeck, Dayot Upamecano, and Castello Lukeba as potential candidates to enhance the team’s defense, though they are likely to remain with their current clubs until the summer.
Considering Leoni’s injury and the impending contract situation of Ibrahima Konate, as well as Virgil Van Dijk‘s age, it’s crucial for the club to make informed choices to ensure a smooth transition.
Players like Ordonez and Mykhavko are considered low-risk options that would not disrupt existing plans. However, the club may also look to promote talent from within the academy to cope with the current defensive challenges.
All possibilities are on the table, and the club seems to be preparing for various scenarios without ruling anything out.
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