Liverpool Join Race for Manchester United and Arsenal Target Ahead of January Transfer Window

 

 

Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a highly rated European striker but could face competition from Manchester United, Arsenal, and AC Milan during the January transfer window.

Arne Slot’s defending Premier League champions have struggled to hit top form this season, with new signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak yet to make a significant impact. Isak, who suffered a fractured leg in Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Spurs on December 20, is expected to be sidelined for a couple of months and has managed just three goals in 16 appearances since joining from Newcastle United for a British record £125 million in September. Meanwhile, Wirtz has scored only once in 23 appearances since his £116 million move from Bayer Leverkusen in June.

Of Liverpool’s seven summer signings, only Hugo Ekitike has lived up to expectations, scoring 11 goals in 24 matches after his £69 million transfer. Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, on the other hand, are yet to reach their best form at Anfield.

Despite spending nearly £450 million last summer, Liverpool may still look to strengthen their attacking options this winter. With Isak both out of form and injured, reinforcements in the final third could be on the agenda.

Italian outlet Gazzetta reports that Liverpool are among several Premier League clubs monitoring Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. AC Milan are also interested, while Manchester United and Arsenal have been linked with the Serbian forward in previous windows.

The Mirror notes that Vlahovic, who has scored 64 goals in 162 appearances for Juve, will be eligible to negotiate pre-contract deals with clubs outside Italy from January 1. Arsenal had shown interest in him three years ago when he was at Fiorentina. However, his reported weekly wage of €534,231 (£466,000) could be a hurdle, as it would make him the highest-paid player at either Liverpool or Arsenal.

Earlier reports from Gazzetta suggested United were considering a January move for Vlahovic, though their interest now appears to have cooled as the winter window approaches.