Liverpool’s transfer plans are in turmoil as they battle to secure key targets amid growing competition and internal urgings from their scouting team. With defensive reinforcements a priority and the search for a long-term heir to Mohamed Salah intensifying, Anfield is bracing for a chaotic 2026.
Defensive Crisis Looms Large
Liverpool, the defending Premier League champions, are prioritizing the signing of a new centre-back in 2026. Ibrahima Konate’s contract expires at the end of the season, and captain Virgil van Dijk, now 34, is entering the twilight of his career. This has put the Reds on high alert for top defensive talent.
Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace and England international, has long been Liverpool’s primary target. The club came agonizingly close to landing him on the final day of the summer transfer window and continues to view him as the ideal addition to their backline. Sources indicate that Liverpool are prepared to table a bid between £25m and £30m (up to €34.4m, $40.1m) for Guehi in the January window.
The pursuit has been bolstered by Real Madrid’s withdrawal from the race for the 25-year-old, who is out of contract at Selhurst Park at season’s end. However, a fresh challenge has emerged from Barcelona. The Catalan giants, also in need of a new centre-back, are drawn to Guehi’s impending free-agent status next summer.
Unlike Liverpool, Barcelona can negotiate a pre-contract with Guehi starting January 1 and are aggressively pursuing this avenue. Reports confirm that Barcelona have made two formal approaches to Guehi’s representatives in the past two weeks, with sporting director Deco personally championing the move. The Spanish champions are so eager that they might even submit a €20m (£17.4m, $23.3m) offer in January to secure him early.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has publicly stated that Guehi has no intention of extending his deal with the club, adding fuel to the speculation. This development presents a significant headache for Liverpool manager Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes, who must now outmaneuver Barcelona to land their top defensive priority.
In related news, Liverpool appear to have stepped back from another Bundesliga target, Nico Schlotterbeck. The Borussia Dortmund star has caught the eye of several clubs, including the Reds, who have been monitoring the 26-year-old German international. However, Dortmund’s firm stance against a mid-season sale has reportedly led Liverpool to abandon their interest, according to German media.
The Hunt for Salah’s Successor
Beyond defense, Liverpool are planning for life after Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian forward, now 33, is contracted until the summer of 2027 but has struggled this season, managing just five goals and three assists in 19 appearances. While Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise remains a dream signing, Liverpool’s scouts have pinpointed a rising star as the perfect long-term replacement.
Yan Diomande, the 19-year-old Ivory Coast international at RB Leipzig, has emerged as a prime candidate. Since joining from Leganes in the summer of 2025, Diomande has dazzled with four goals and four assists in 14 matches across all competitions. His meteoric rise has drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland, with insiders at Leipzig describing the interest in him as unprecedented for the club since Haaland’s days there.
Liverpool’s scouting department is reportedly urging Slot and Hughes to act swiftly on Diomande before rivals like Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Barcelona enter the fray. An RB Leipzig source emphasized the teenager’s sky-high potential: “In terms of talent level, Red Bull has not experienced an interest like this since Erling Haaland. The ceiling for this kid is that high.”
However, Leipzig are reluctant to sell, insisting there’s no “for sale” sign on Diomande. That said, his contract includes a €100m (£87m, $116m) release clause, which could force their hand if Liverpool trigger it and persuade the winger to make the switch to Anfield.
A Pivotal Window Ahead
As Liverpool navigate these challenges, the January transfer window looms as a critical period. Securing Guehi amid Barcelona’s advances will test the club’s resolve, while moving for Diomande could signal a bold investment in the future. With chaos brewing at Anfield, Slot and Hughes face mounting pressure to deliver reinforcements that sustain Liverpool’s title credentials.
The coming months will reveal whether the Reds can turn potential headaches into triumphs, or if rivals will capitalize on their vulnerabilities.