Liverpool show interest in Manchester United and Arsenal target ahead of January transfer window
Liverpool are said to be monitoring a highly regarded striker in Europe, though they could face stiff competition from Manchester United, Arsenal and AC Milan when the January transfer window opens.
Arne Slot’s team have struggled to live up to expectations in their Premier League title defence, with big-money arrivals Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak failing to significantly boost the champions’ performances so far this season.
Isak, who is expected to miss at least a couple of months after suffering a fractured leg in Liverpool’s 2–1 victory over Spurs on December 20, has managed only three goals in 16 matches since joining from Newcastle United for a British-record £125 million in September. Wirtz, meanwhile, has scored just once in 23 appearances since completing a £116 million move from Bayer Leverkusen in June.
Of the seven players signed last summer, only Hugo Ekitike has truly delivered, scoring 11 goals in 24 games after arriving for £69 million. Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong are still searching for top form in a Liverpool shirt.
Despite investing close to £450 million during the previous transfer window, Liverpool may still look to strengthen their squad in January. With Isak struggling for form and now sidelined through injury, attacking reinforcements could be a priority.
According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta, Liverpool are one of several Premier League clubs tracking Juventus and Serbia forward Dusan Vlahovic. AC Milan are also interested, while Manchester United and Arsenal have been linked with him in the past.
The Mirror adds that Vlahovic, who has scored 64 goals in 162 appearances for Juventus, will be free to hold pre-contract talks with non-Italian clubs from January 1. Arsenal had previously shown interest in him three years ago when he was still at Fiorentina.
However, his reported weekly wage of €534,231 (£466,000) could prove problematic for both Arsenal and Liverpool, as matching that salary would make him the highest-paid player at either club.
Gazzetta also reported in September that Manchester United were considering a January move for the 25-year-old, though that interest appears to have cooled as the winter window draws nearer.