Liverpool in pole position for £35m January signing after Chelsea withdraw

Liverpool’s long-term centre-back recruitment is starting to take form, with contemporary studies shedding mild on how Arne Slot’s aspect intend to method the market over the following two home windows.

Whereas one high-profile goal stays central to the membership’s pondering, consideration can also be turning in direction of various choices. Liverpool got here so near signing Marc Guehi in the summertime however a deal to signal him collapsed on Deadline Day which has harmed them this season.

The choice to promote Jarell Quansah earlier than a alternative was secured is one which now appears to be like questionable in hindsight.

Liverpool reassess centre-back plans after Guehi setback

Liverpool got here near signing Guehi in the course of the 2025 summer season switch window, agreeing a £35million price with Crystal Palace and settling private phrases with the England worldwide.

The transfer in the end collapsed on deadline day after Palace did not supply a alternative in time, regardless of Guehi being shut to creating the swap. Since then, the defender has moved on from the frustration, whereas Liverpool have continued to evaluate their centre-back choices.

That want stays urgent. Ibrahima Konaté has but to signal a brand new contract and has confronted scrutiny over his kind this season, whereas Virgil van Dijk, now 34, is getting into the latter phases of his profession.

Consequently, Liverpool are planning forward, with defensive recruitment now anticipated to span each January and the summer season of 2026.

Ordonez emerges as January choice amid rival curiosity

One title underneath shut consideration is Membership Brugge defender Joel Ordonez. Liverpool, alongside Chelsea, made contact for the 21-year-old earlier this month, with each Brugge and the participant open to a January transfer.

Liverpool have since been handed a possible increase. Bolavip studies that Chelsea have withdrawn from negotiations, clearing the best way for Slot’s aspect to maneuver into pole place.

Whereas no cause is given for Chelsea’s exit, the report claims Liverpool are actually thought-about frontrunners though Inter Milan have additionally entered the race.

Brugge are understood to worth Ordonez at €40million (£35m), with the Ecuador worldwide thought to be one of many standout defensive skills within the Belgian Professional League.

Additional readability has come from the Every day Mail’s Lewis Steele, who studies that Liverpool won’t revisit their transfer for Guehi till subsequent summer season. As a substitute, the membership are monitoring Ordonez, Brentford’s Nathan Collins and Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix as potential January additions.

Steele notes that Liverpool have been impressed by Ordonez’s worldwide shows for Ecuador, in addition to his versatility throughout centre-back and right-back roles.

Regardless of these choices, Guehi stays central to Liverpool’s longer-term technique. Sky Sports activities lately reported that the Reds are main the race for his signature, even amid curiosity from Actual Madrid, Manchester Metropolis and Bayern Munich. BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel has additionally confirmed that Liverpool intend to attend, with a free switch subsequent summer season the popular route.