Liverpool face setbacks in the January transfer window with RB Leipzig dismissing rivals for Yan Diomande, while Federico Chiesa’s move to Juventus appears in doubt
Liverpool's Federico Chiesa(Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
The transfer window is rapidly closing and it remains uncertain whether Liverpool will make any signings following an eventful summer. Anfield chiefs have less than a fortnight left to authorise a deal that could strengthen Arne Slot’s squad.
This month has already witnessed Liverpool lose out amid Marc Guehi’s impending switch to Manchester City, whilst Federico Chiesa’s destiny continues to be deliberated. Slot has stayed tight-lipped regarding the club’s transfer intentions.
“I think everyone is aligned about the challenges we are facing,” he commented when questioned if Conor Bradley’s injury might prompt a signing. “That’s not to say that we are going to act, but everyone is aligned on what we are facing.
“There’s no-one who has a different opinion about it. But that’s not to say that anything is going to happen.”
With that in mind, we examine the latest transfer speculation and gossip.
Tottenham interest
Tottenham have shown interest in acquiring Curtis Jones from Liverpool, as reported by the Times. Questions have been raised about whether the academy graduate will be satisfied with his game time by season’s end, given that Spurs and numerous other sides would probably pursue him if he indicated a desire to depart.
Spurs have recently acquired midfielder Conor Gallagher, though, and Jones harbours significant aspirations at Anfield.
“Well I think that the biggest thing is that I still have to have the humble way about myself and I don’t want to say, ‘Yeah, na, I’m gonna be captain’ or anything like that,” Jones said in December.
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“But I want to be captain of the team. I want to stay here for all my life like the man who I look up to, as everybody knows is Gerrard.”
Diomande update
RB Leipzig’s sporting director, Marcel Schäfer, has stated that they are firmly in control of Yan Diomande’s future. Leipzig secured Diomande last summer from Leganes by triggering his £17.4million release clause.
The 19-year-old winger has impressed and swiftly attracted fresh interest from clubs including Liverpool and Manchester United. The Ivory Coast international could now command a fee of up to £86m, according to reports.
Leipzig may not be in any hurry to sell just yet, though. When asked if Leipzig are in the ‘front seat’ regarding Diomande’s future, Schafer told bullinews.com: “There isn’t even anyone sitting in the passenger seat. Everyone is sitting in the back seat.”
Schafer also revealed why his club moved in the summer. “We saw the data and immediately knew that we had to take a detailed look at the player, both on video and in live matches, and that’s what we did,” he said.
“Our advantage was that we were there before he had even played 200 minutes in the league. We already knew he had the profile we were looking for that summer.
“We didn’t need to have five conversations about signing him because the profile was clear. It was a 100 per cent match from our side. It was clear to us that if we had the chance, we would go for it. When we started negotiations with Leganés, they said there was such high competition for the player that we needed to pay that amount if we wanted him.
“Leganés were clear, honest and transparent. It was a huge amount given where the player was at the time, but we knew he was our number-one favourite. We wanted the player, even if we had to pay a little more than many expected. We didn’t care, because it was an ideal situation. We were even in touch with Jürgen Klopp and Mario Gomez, who saw the data and video clips, and everybody said ‘go, go, go.'”.
Chiesa transfer in jeopardy
Federico Chiesa’s prospects of securing a switch to Juventus now seem uncertain. The Italian powerhouse appears to have shifted focus towards alternative attacking targets.
The Turin outfit are pursuing both Jean-Philippe Mateta and Daniel Maldini. Discussions are ongoing with Crystal Palace and Mateta’s camp, whilst Juve are exploring the possibility of reuniting Atalanta forward Maldini with Luciano Spalletti.
The latter is reportedly viewed as a more economically viable option than Chiesa, according to Tuttosport.
