Liverpool's hopes of strengthening their midfield in the January transfer window have suffered a significant blow, with reports claiming the club has walked away from a potential £40 million deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers' Joao Gomes.
Midfield Reinforcements Prove Elusive
With less than two weeks remaining before the January window closes, time is running out for manager Arne Slot to address his squad's deficiencies. The Reds' form has dipped alarmingly, with a 1-1 draw against Burnley marking their fourth consecutive Premier League stalemate, a result met with boos from the Anfield faithful.
The team's midfield, in particular, has been identified as a problem area. Key players from last season's title-winning side, including Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, have struggled to replicate their previous performances, leaving a void in the engine room.
Wolves' Brazilian international Joao Gomes had emerged as a prime target to bolster the ranks. However, according to TEAMtalk, Liverpool have now ended their pursuit after the Black Country club placed a hefty £40 million valuation on the 24-year-old.
A Manager's Personal Regret Over Teenage Signing
While a major first-team signing appears off the table, Liverpool have secured a promising talent for the future. The club has beaten Inter Milan to the signature of 17-year-old Austrian defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who will join from FK Austria Wien in the summer.
His current international manager, Hermann Stadler of the Austria Under-18s, expressed immense pride in the youngster's progress, highlighting his stellar defensive displays at the recent Under-17 World Cup. "Just look at the number of goals we conceded – we only conceded two," Stadler told LAOLA1.
Despite his delight, Stadler admitted a personal belief that the player's development might have been better served by staying in Austria for another season. "Personally, I think... it might have been good for him to stay at Austria for another year," he stated, suggesting a loan alongside an experienced pro like Aleksandar Dragovic could have been beneficial before a big move at 18 or 19.
Champions League Race Adds to January Pressure
The urgency for reinforcements is amplified by Liverpool's precarious league position. Despite sitting fourth, their hold on a Champions League qualification spot is fragile, with just five points separating them from 11th-placed Fulham.
The race for European football is intensely congested, and Slot's side's recent run of draws has done little to solidify their standing. Whether the club will now pivot to alternative targets before the transfer window slams shut on January 31 remains the critical question for the Anfield hierarchy.
