Liverpool transfer news as Arne Slot eyes reunion amid $33m battle with Man City and Arsenal - Liverpool.com

The January transfer window is quickly approaching, although that might not be the best news for Liverpool fans.

Arne Slot’s team is of course flying at the moment, with the Reds sitting top of the Premier League after Saturday’s win over Brighton. What’s more, the Reds can go a step closer to qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages with a victory over Bayer Leverkusen tomorrow.

As the end of 2024 nears though, fears are growing over the futures of Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah. Reports in Spain though suggest Liverpool may be looking at a replacement for one of that trio.

Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today, including a potential heir for Van Dijk, and a possible reunion for Slot.

Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu is interested in reuniting with Arne Slot at Liverpool, according to Football Insider. The 23-year-old played under the Reds boss during their time at Feyenoord, with Kokcu making the move to Portugal last year.

It’s claimed though that Slot wants to strengthen his midfield options in January, and should the opportunity arise, Kokcu ‘would be interested’ in linking back up with the Dutchman. With his contract in Lisbon running until 2028 though, it would take a ‘big fee’ to prise him away from Benfica, and Liverpool is said to not be willing to sign a player just for the sake of it.

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Liverpool.com says: Kokcu doesn’t quite fit the bill for what Liverpool would need if it does choose to go for a midfielder in January. The Reds are well stocked when it comes to No.8s and No.10s, so they’d be more likely to go for a more defensive option as backup to Ryan Gravenberch.

Kokcu is capable of playing there, but it’s not his forte, so you’d imagine Liverpool will look elsewhere – especially if it’s going to take a ‘big fee’ to sign him, which you can’t imagine the Reds would part with in January.

Liverpool is keen on signing Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera as a potential successor to Virgil van Dijk, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes. It’s claimed the Reds are keeping tabs on the 20-year-old as they face a battle with Arsenal and Manchester City for his signature.

Mosquera is said to be valued at around $33m (£25m/€30m), with the potential he has shown in La Liga earmarking him as an attractive option for the Premier League’s big three.

Liverpool.com says: We have our doubts about this report. For starters, it claims Jurgen Klopp is looking for a new defender, despite the fact he hasn’t been in charge of Liverpool for about five months now. Still, if Mosquera is as exciting a defender as it’s suggested, then he might be worth keeping an eye on.