Liverpool have been fairly inactive in the transfer windows off-late, with the Reds signing only Ibrahima Konate last summer. The former Premier League champions triggered the £40 million release clause for Konate in order to bring him to Anfield.
The Kop have been struggling in front of the goal owing to lack of bench depth. Their main goal-scorers in the form of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane are busy with their respective national teams in the AFCON cup and their absence has been highlighted, with Liverpool failing to score even once against 10-men Arsenal last week. The Reds though, have bounced back by defeating Arsenal 2-0 in their latest fixture, adding to their 3-0 victory over Brentford on Sunday.
It is no secret that Liverpool lack the bench depth that the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, and Manchester United possess and that is why it is difficult to see them go all the way in the Premier League title race. Having said that, January additions for Jurgen Klopp’s side cannot be ruled out as we enter the final 10 days of the winter window.
Liverpool linked with Ronald Araujo
Ronald Araujo has been one of the very few positives for Barcelona this season. The Uruguayan defender has turned all eyes towards himself with his impressive displays. The 22-year-old has become the unofficial leader of the Barca backline and his importance in the current Blaugrana set-up cannot be understated. In the recently concluded El Classico, Xavi played Araujo even though he was recently operated upon for a broken hand, because the 41-year-old was of the opinion that no one else but Araujo could stop Vinicis Jr.
The 22-year-old’s contract will expire in 2023 and is currently one of the lowest earners in the Barca ranks and talks are said to be underway between Araujo’s camp and Barca over a contract renewal. As per Sport, the Uruguayan center-back is said to be unhappy with the wages being offered by the former La Liga champions and thus, if an agreement cannot be reached between him and Barca, he will be sold next summer. Liverpool are said to be interested in signing the young center-back and have reportedly called the player’s party to enquire if he would be open to playing at Anfield.
Araujo has been arguably one of the best players of the season for Barcelona and it is unlikely that they will let the player leave. The club is working on tying him down to a new contract. The player is said to be looking for wages similar to what others, of his age group are earning at Barca currently, and thus, an agreement is expected to be reached soon.
Liverpool looking at Ousmane Dembele
Ousmane Dembele and Barcelona’s relationship seems to have reached a point of no return. The Frenchman’s extraordinary demands during the contract negotiations have driven the two parties apart; so much so that Barca sporting director Mateu Alemany publicly revealed that Barcelona are looking to sell off Dembele and that the club only required ‘players that are committed to the sporting project’.
While new contacts between Dembele’s agent, Moussa Sissoko, and Barcelona are expected in the coming days, it looks increasingly unlikely that an agreement will be reached following the way this saga has turned out. Barcelona are looking to sell Dembele for a fee of €20 million this month in order to free their wage bill and possibly, make another signing this month.
With that said, El Nacional claims that Liverpool are looking at Dembele as one of the possible options to increase the attacking depth in their ranks.
With the absence of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, goals have been hard to come by for the former Premier League champions and that is why their reported interest in Dembele makes sense. However, it remains to be seen if Liverpool are willing to break their wage structure and give in to the Frenchman’s demands of €40 million per season wages in addition to the €20 million signing-on bonus for him and his agent.
A medical student with an avid interest for the game.
