Liverpool are closing in on a surprise loan deal for Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo, with the defender expected to sign on a season-long loan with an option to buy for €55m (£47.1m) after undergoing a medical on Sunday. The move would add much-needed depth at centre-back, but the Reds are still working on reinforcements for the wing, with Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola a primary target.
Araujo loan nears completion
Araujo, who has been out of favour at Barcelona, is set to join Liverpool on a temporary basis. The deal includes an option to make the move permanent for €55m, though it has not yet been officially confirmed. The 27-year-old Uruguay international would become Liverpool's second defensive addition of the window, following the earlier arrival of a new centre-back.
While Araujo's arrival addresses one area of concern, Liverpool's pursuit of a winger continues. The Reds remain in talks with PSG over Barcola, but negotiations have been complicated by the French club's hefty asking price of €150m, according to L'Equipe. Liverpool are reportedly prepared to offer €115m, but no official bid has been lodged yet.
PSG's attacking reinforcements
PSG, meanwhile, are not standing still in the transfer market. After completing the signing of Maghnes Akliouche, the Parisian club are close to landing Barcelona's Ferran Torres and Ajax winger Mika Godts. According to Fabrizio Romano, talks for Torres are at the "final stages" with personal terms agreed, while French journalist Sebastien Vidal reports that PSG are set to launch a new offer for Godts after an initial bid was rejected.
If PSG complete these deals, their forward options would include Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue, Maghnes Akliouche, Ferran Torres, Mika Godts, Bradley Barcola, and Ibrahim Mbaye - eight players for three positions. This could open the door for Barcola and Mbaye to leave, with Liverpool interested in both.
Camara bid rejected
In midfield, Monaco have rejected a bid for Lamine Camara, which may have come from Crystal Palace, according to Nice Matin. The 22-year-old Senegal international impressed in Monaco's 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday, completing 91% of his passes and making seven recoveries. Monaco are holding out for more than €60m (£51.3m), and manager Filipe Luis has praised Camara, saying: "He's probably one of the best midfielders in the world. I don't want to say too much, because I know that many clubs are interested in him."
Liverpool have been linked with Camara in the past, but with squad limits in mind, a move appears unlikely unless there are departures.
Endrick talks revealed
Brazilian forward Endrick has been linked with Liverpool, with TEAMtalk reporting that his entourage have opened talks with a number of clubs, including the Reds. Endrick, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Lyon, is struggling for minutes at Real Madrid following the signing of Yan Diomande. A loan move could make sense for both parties, though Liverpool are also considering other options.
Other reports suggest Liverpool have a "longstanding admiration" for Barcelona right-back Hector Fort, but a move is unlikely given the Araujo deal. Meanwhile, AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori has been linked, but again, the Araujo loan appears to have closed that door.
City eye Fernandez, Mac Allister link dismissed
Manchester City are exploring a move for Enzo Fernandez, according to The Independent's Miguel Delaney, as they consider letting Rodri leave for Barcelona. City have also agreed personal terms with Ayyoub Bouaddi, according to Fabrizio Romano, with a fee of €70-80m mooted for the Lille midfielder.
In other news, a rumour linking Alexis Mac Allister to Manchester City has been dismissed as nonsense. The claim, from LFC Transfer Room, was widely mocked on social media, with one user saying: "Heard some nonsense in my time, but this one is right up there with the best." Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has stressed his desire to keep Mac Allister, making a sale to a direct rival almost unthinkable.
