Liverpool's turbulent season has taken another twist in the January transfer window, with the club securing one defensive deal but facing fierce competition for a key target. As pressure mounts on manager Arne Slot, the Reds' activity off the pitch is intensifying.
Liverpool Seal Agreement for Young Defender Mor Ndiaye
In a move to bolster their defensive ranks for the future, Liverpool have reached a verbal agreement to sign 17-year-old Senegalese centre-back Mor Ndiaye. This development, reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, follows an exclusive from the Liverpool ECHO which revealed talks were progressing.
The left-sided defender is set to join Rob Page's under-21s setup at the club. His arrival could facilitate a loan move for fellow young defender Amara Nallo. This signing represents a continued focus on youth, coming shortly after the arrival of 19-year-old Noah Adekoya from Burnley.
In a further piece of business, Liverpool have also struck a deal for Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austria Wien, with the move set to be officially completed in the summer.
Arsenal Emerge as New Rival in Battle for Marc Guehi
Liverpool's primary defensive target for the senior squad, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, is now the subject of a three-way Premier League tussle. Arsenal have entered the race, joining Manchester City and Liverpool in pursuit of the England international.
This comes after Liverpool saw a deadline day deal for Guehi collapse when Palace pulled the plug. The defender is out of contract in the summer, placing the South London club in a difficult position where they must sell now or risk losing him for free.
Despite having strengthened their defence recently with signings like Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera, Arsenal remain keen admirers of Guehi. Meanwhile, Manchester City are considered red-hot favourites to secure his signature, with their own defensive injury crisis involving Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol accelerating their need.
Missed Attack and Mounting Pressure at Anfield
The transfer window has also seen a setback in Liverpool's attacking plans. The club, which has been linked with Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo as a potential long-term successor to Mohamed Salah, looks set to miss out. Semenyo underwent a medical with rivals Manchester City on Thursday, edging closer to a move to the Etihad.
This failure to land a key target, coupled with the ongoing competition for Guehi, adds to the scrutiny on manager Arne Slot and the Liverpool hierarchy. A disappointing title defence and a battle for Champions League qualification have been compounded by behind-the-scenes issues with star forward Mohamed Salah and a worrying injury record among defenders.
With the top-four race heating up, Liverpool's activity in this January window is being closely watched, as fans hope for signings that can solidify a faltering campaign.
