Liverpool are trying to tie down Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold to new contracts during the January transfer window and have confirmed their first deal of the month
Liverpool have a clear priority in the January transfer window – and it is very different to some of their Premier League rivals.
While some of their closest rivals need to strengthen their squads by bringing in new players, the Reds are focused on keeping what they already have. That means getting new contracts signed for Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The star trio’s current deals expire at the end of June and they are therefore allowed to speak with foreign clubs about the possibility of a free transfer in the summer. That isn’t an issue for Salah and Van Dijk, who are now expected to sign two-year extensions, but Alexander-Arnold is being courted by Real Madrid.
Liverpool have rejected a first £20million offer for the 26-year-old, but the ball is now in his court. In the meantime, there are plenty of other stories to look at involving transfers and the club.
First deal confirmed
Liverpool confirmed on Monday that young goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga has moved back to Fluminense on a permanent deal. The 22-year-old joined Liverpool for £1.8m in 2020 but never made a first-team appearance, having spent time on loan with Macclesfield, St Patrick’s Athletic and Livingston.
With Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher ahead of him in the pecking order, the closest he came to the Liverpool first team was being named in seven match day squads.
The club said in a statement: “Everyone at LFC wishes Marcelo the best of luck for the future.” Although he’s left on a free transfer, Liverpool reportedly have a 40 per cent sell-on clause with Pitaluga, meaning they could be due money in the future.
Van Dijk gives contract update
Captain Virgil van Dijk is expected to pen a new contract with Liverpool, but speaking after Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Manchester United, he revealed that confirmation of him staying is no closer.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I don’t think so, but I am calm about it, like I said months ago. We’ll see what happens in the future and at this point I have got absolutely no update. It’s all about at the moment focusing, for me and the team, on Spurs [on Wednesday night]. It will be a tough game again, but a good [Carabao Cup] semi-final.”
He also spoke about the Alexander-Arnold situation, saying: “I am fine with it. Trent has his own people around him, his family and we are there as well. He wants to perform in the best way possible like we all do. That is the main focus. In my opinion, maybe ask him, that is the distraction… the game.”
Chiesa not leaving
Federico Chiesa’s agent has confirmed that the Italian winger will stay with Liverpool this season despite links with Napoli. Chiesa has made just four appearances for Liverpool since joining the club for £10m plus a further £2.5m in add-ons from Juventus in August.
He has been linked with a move back to Italy, with Napoli, Roma and his former club Fiorentina said to be interested. But his agent Vali Ramadan has rubbished those reports.
“Napoli did not negotiate a contract with Chiesa from Liverpool in the winter period, and the club has no intention of dispensing with the player,” he told 365scores. “The player is continuing with Liverpool and is seeking the opportunity to participate in the coming period. This is what I can confirm now.”
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