Latest Liverpool transfer news and rumours ahead of the January window opening with Antoine Semenyo and Kees Smit updates
By the next time Liverpool take to the pitch, the January transfer window will have officially opened for business. Arne Slot’s side face Leeds United on New Year’s Day, which marks the start of a month that several standout players have been tipped to switch clubs.
Liverpool themselves are in the unique position of having splashed almost half a billion pounds in a huge overhaul of playing talent over the last summer window, though a troubled campaign so far means there is contemplation to be done over possible January deals. Those questions are being dealt with behind closed doors, with Slot most recently deflecting the topic of transfers.
“My only thoughts are on the upcoming two games, two difficult ones again, two home ones which is nice,” the boss said ahead of Wolves. “It’s time for the players available to roll their sleeves up and our fans as well to help us get the best possible results.
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“The players who are available need to give everything they have and the fans, which they usually do. That’s my focus.”
Whether the Reds get any reinforcements to help in the second half of the season or not32 therefore remains to be seen.
To begin the week during which the window reopens, the ECHO looks at the latest big Liverpool news and transfer rumours.
Antoine Semenyo conflict
There are several conflicting reports as to whether the Reds are actively in the race to sign Antoine Semenyo this January or not.
The Bournemouth winger – who has scored nine and assisted three goals so far in the Premier League this season – is widely reported to have high-profile suitors, including Liverpool, sniffing around with a £65m release clause active only until January 10, 2026. Throughout last week, coverage began to suggest Manchester City were emerging as frontrunners whereas Anfield chiefs weren’t gearing up for a pursuit.
Whilst Alex Crook of talkSPORT and Ben Jacobs of GIVEMESPORT are among those maintaining this message, however alternative reporting suggests otherwise.
Paul Joyce of The Times, The Daily Mail’s Jack Gaughan, Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport, and The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath say Liverpool are in fact interested and while the player’s future is not decided, they will remain in the running. They will have to move quickly to beat City, who want a swift resolution when the window opens.
Kees Smit offer update
Liverpool are one of several clubs to have been linked with AZ Alkmaar’s midfield sensation Kees Smit and according to Fabrizio Romano‘all top clubs’ hold an interest in the 19-year-old.
It makes Smit one of the players to watch in 2026, though a summer transfer is said to be more likely than one midway through the current campaign.
Plus any potential deal is expected to cost the Reds – or whichever rival is successful – a sizeable fee. Romano claims reports of a €40-45m (£34.9m-39.2m) asking price are way off the mark, as AZ have already rejected an approach worth €60m (£52.3m).
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