Reports suggest that one Liverpool transfer is close to completion, while the club have also tabled an offer for a potential long-term successor to Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool are currently enduring a deep slump, having lost eight of their last eleven matches across all competitions and dropping into the bottom half of the Premier League. This downturn comes despite expectations that they would dominate following a summer spending spree of over £400m aimed at a major squad rebuild.
The Reds shattered the British transfer record twice by signing Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, and also invested heavily in Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giovanni Leoni. However, instead of pushing on from last season’s Premier League title, Liverpool now look a pale imitation of that side.
Too many changes in one transfer window appear to have hurt squad balance and cohesion, with Arne Slot’s team struggling to gel. Several new arrivals, along with established players, have failed to perform consistently, underlining the need for further adjustments in the months ahead.
Liverpool are expected to return to the transfer market, with strengthening at centre-back a top priority. Virgil van Dijk’s form has dipped and he is no longer viewed as a long-term solution, while Ibrahima Konate has struggled and is entering the final year of his contract.
Their failure to sign Marc Guehi last summer has proven costly, and there is growing belief that Liverpool could move for the Crystal Palace defender in January at a reduced fee, with his contract set to expire in the summer. Although Guehi’s deadline-day move to Anfield collapsed previously, opening the door for interest from elsewhere in Europe, Spanish outlet Fichajes claims the defender still prefers Liverpool.
The report states that Guehi would be Liverpool’s “first signing of 2026” and that the deal is “practically done”, adding: “After several months of negotiations, the agreement appears to be close to finalisation, with his move as a free agent almost secured.”
Another key objective for Liverpool is finding a long-term replacement for Salah. Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise and Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo have both been linked with the role.
According to a separate Fichajes report, Liverpool have submitted a staggering €200m (£176m) offer for Olise, who is contracted at Bayern until 2029 and would command a significant fee.
The report claims Liverpool believe the central role they are offering, along with the chance to lead a new rebuilding project, could appeal to the French winger. Club sources are said to admire Olise’s maturity despite his young age, feeling he has the character and composure required to take on the immense challenge of succeeding Salah.
