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Liverpool haven’t had an easy start to the Premier League season so far with several injuries and inconsistent performances leading to a sixth-place position in the top flight at present.

The Reds are currently 15 points adrift from league leaders Arsenal and it will take one of Jurgen Klopp’s miracles to put his team in contention to compete for the title over the remainder of the campaign.

Luckily, the Liverpool boss will have the opportunity to strengthen his squad when the January transfer window reopens at the end of this week, with the signing of Cody Gakpo already in the works at Anfield ahead of the new year.

Despite the PSV Eindhoven star being a great coup for the Merseysiders, there is no denying that their most crucial business will need to be done in the centre of the pitch with many of Liverpool’s midfielders either out of contract in the summer or reaching the latter stages of their career.

Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner are all entering the final few months of their contracts whilst captain Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are well into their 30s at this point and as a result, will not play a big part in the long-term future in midfield.

As a result, the signing of midfielders who can make a genuine impact whilst injecting a youthful perspective into the heart of the team should be top of the agenda for the powers at Anfield, as a new transfer target has been revealed.

Brighton & Hove Albion star Alexis Mac Allister is reportedly the latest player Liverpool are interested in signing to improve the midfield performances and personnel over the coming months ahead, according to La Repubblica.

It comes as no surprise that Mac Allister has captured the attention of the six-time Champions League winners after putting on phenomenal performances at the World Cup in Qatar over the last month, winning the prestigious international tournament with his native Argentina.

Over six appearances, the £50k-per-week ace – who was hailed “unplayable” and an “incredible talent” by journalist Roy Nemer – scored one goal, delivered one assist and completed 67% of his dribbles, as well as averaging 39 accurate passes, 1.3 key passes, 1.5 tackles and 5.2 duels won per game.

The signing of the 24-year-old could be the final curtain for Keita who is yet to agree on a new contract despite reportedly being in talks to extend his stay on Merseyside, as Mac Allister would surely steal his spot in the starting line-up should a move be sanctioned for the Argentine in 2023.

With that being said, it will be interesting to see if Liverpool pursue Mac Allister when the transfer window reopens as he could be a great addition to Klopp’s midfield rebuild.

Arsenal could reportedly sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk by the end of this week.

The Lowdown: Back to winning ways

The Gunners were back to winning ways on Monday night, beating West Ham United 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium as the Premier League made its return on Boxing Day.

Goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah were enough to take all three points after the home side went 1-0 down in the first half through a Said Benrahma penalty.

The Latest: Arsenal ‘well placed’ to sign Mudryk

As per Football Insider, Arsenal are ‘well placed’ to sign Mudryk ‘this week’ and are ‘increasingly confident’ of finalising a quick deal.

They have submitted an official bid in excess of £45m to try and prise him away from Ukraine, which includes bonuses and add-ons based on appearances, but the package ‘falls short’ of the £60m+ asking price from Shakhtar.

The Donetsk club have ‘accepted’ that they will have to sell Mudryk in January, and Mikel Arteta’s side are in the ‘driving seat’ to secure his signature, with a ‘full agreement’ pushed for ‘in the next days’.

Arteta has personally given the ‘green light’ to sanction a move and wants a deal done as soon as possible with the opening of the January transfer window fast approaching.

The Verdict: He’d be a big signing

Mudryk would certainly be a big signing for Arsenal, assuming that the Gunners are able to get a deal over the line.

Following the injury to Gabriel Jesus, the north Londoners are in need of more firepower to cover for his absence, as their attacking options off the bench looked particularly slim against the Hammers.

Mudryk is enjoying a breakthrough season in his homeland, with ten goals and eight assists in 18 matches across all competitions so far this season, including five goal contributions in the Champions League (Transfermarkt).

At 21 years of age, he is the right profile of player to grow with fellow young talents Saka, Martinelli and the rest of the Arsenal squad, and signing him in January would give Arteta and co extra hope that they can lift the Premier League trophy at the end of the campaign.

Former footballer Frank McAvennie has claimed that Rangers manager Michael Beale will probably have to sell players first if he wants any new signings this winter. 

What’s the word?

With the January transfer window now open, the Ibrox outfit have already been linked with some exciting new deals. For instance,  Wolves defender Dion Sanderson has been tipped as a target recently.

However, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Rangers may have a few financial struggles to overcome in the near future. The club are currently dealing with the fact that the Sydney Super Cup organisers have attempted to sue them for £1.6m after they pulled out of the friendly tournament in Australia at short notice.

With things like that in mind, McAvennie has claimed that chairman Douglas Park won’t be keen to splash the cash this winter and so Beale might have to stick with the squad he already has.

He told Football Insider: “The pressure is really on them.

“They are talking about buying players but I do not know if they have got the money to buy players without getting people out. There is not a bottomless pit at the moment.

“They have got lawsuits coming out their ears, that is going to cost them money. I do not know where they will get the money from. The chairman will tell Beale to get on with the squad that he has got.“

A quiet January incoming?

On top of that Sydney Super Cup trouble, the Scottish Daily Express also report that Rangers could also be sued for £9.5m by the administrators of the Elite Sports Group amid claims they breached a contract related to the provision of their kits.

And so it’s no shock to hear McAvennie suggests that the club have ‘lawsuits coming out their ears’ right now and that this could halt any plans to spend big in January.

There has been some talk that the club could look to cash in on Alfredo Morelos this winter but with his contract expiring in the summer anyway, it remains to be seen how much money he could bring in.

All in all, it sounds as though those hoping for a big Ibrox spending spree this month may well be disappointed.

Leeds United are believed to be negotiating the signing of young Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens, according to a fresh transfer rumour.

The Lowdown: Rising talent

The 20-year-old is seen as an exciting young footballer with a bright future, having already made four first-team appearances for Club Brugge despite his tender years.

Lammens has also won three caps for Belgium’s Under-21 side, as well playing for younger age groups, suggesting that he could be a future international at senior level.

The ‘keeper’s current deal expires at the end of this season, meaning he can negotiate freely with clubs outside of Belgium this month.

The Latest: On his way to Leeds?

According to major Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws [via Sport Witness], Lammens now looks very likely to join Leeds, with the player himself in negotiations after previous interest during the summer.

The report states that it ‘remains to be seen’ if he will join the Whites for a cut-price in January or agree a pre-contract for the summer window.

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The Verdict: Good Meslier backup?

It is always encouraging to see Leeds injecting their squad with young talent, so the likely capture of Lammens should be considered an exciting piece of business.

The Belgian could learn a huge amount from Illan Meslier, who while still young himself, is now an experienced figure who could help take Lammens’ game to the next level.

It could even be that he is viewed as the Frenchman’s long-term successor between the sticks for Leeds, but Meslier’s possible exit is hopefully some way down the line yet.

Chelsea are intensifying their pursuit of want-away Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram, and could instigate a move in the coming weeks.

Chelsea have recently completed the £9.7m loan signing of Atletico Madrid phenom Joao Felix, but are displaying little sign of slowing on the transfer front as new owner Todd Boehly looks to establish the club at the forefront of the European scene. 

And now, manager Graham Potter has been boosted in his pursuit of a title-winning team following Fabrizio Romano’s recent revelations on the current state of play, stating that the Blues are indeed honing in on further additions, with the £10m-valued Thuram indeed at the top of the shopping list.

Romano said: “João Félix deal will not change Chelsea plans as negotiations will continue for Marcus Thuram as revealed last week and also other targets — in different positions.

“Again, Christopher Nkunku deal 100% sealed for June – can be considered a Chelsea player.”

“World-class” partnership

If Chelsea are to match the boardroom’s ambitions on the field, then major adjustments are swiftly needed; it is paramount that the aspiring outfit unbound their tethered attacking play and rekindle the offensive prowess that will ignite the success Boehly so dearly craves.

Indeed, languishing in tenth place in the Premier League, and with severe concerns rising ever-closer to the brim that European football will evade Stamford Bridge entirely next season, something needs to change.

Potter has led his side to the ignominy of six defeats from the past nine competitive outings, while the tally of 20 goals in the top-flight is the lowest of any top-half side in the division; the cogs are not whirring despite the abundance of talent and reported £315m injection since the opening of the summer transfer window.

However, as confirmed by the aforementioned Romano, the west London outfit have already completed a £52.4m deal for RB Leipzig’s Nkunku, who has netted 52 goals from 75 appearances for his German Bundesliga side across the past two seasons, and Thuram could be the final ingredient to serve up a fluid and cohesive offensive tint to the Chelsea sword.

Having endured an injury-hampered campaign last year, the Frenchman Thuram has plundered a prolific 13 goals from 17 appearances this term, consequently earning a place in his nation’s 2022 World Cup squad and impressing when called upon, notably serving an assist for Kylian Mbappe in the historic finale against Argentina, who clinched triumph in a penalty shootout.

The 25-year-old has been described as “world-class” by Daniel Farke, also demonstrating his perpetually-filled gas tank by playing every minute of the league campaign despite the relentless nature of his high-octane frontal role.

As per FBref, the £28m-rated gem ranks within the top 7% for goals, 8% for total shots and 6% for dribbles completed when compared to forwards across the major European leagues; Nkunku, meanwhile, ranks within the top 4% for goals, but intriguingly within the top percentile for pass completion and top 8% for progressive passes.

Effectively, the pairing has every inclination of prospering on English soil, with both players capable of peppering opposing nets with a consistent, devastating goal threat but merging into a partnership that situates the Leipzig ace behind his compatriot, seeking openings and creating space.

The duality of offensive excellence, balanced by the counterpoint of differentiating skill sets, could provide Chelsea with a forward line that can conjure up goals and assists from every nook and every cranny; effectively, it could be a torrent of sustained attack, tempestuous waves that will displace even the most resilient of defences.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou will be making his demands clear to the board that he does not want to see Daizen Maeda sold this month.

What’s the latest?

There have been reports suggesting the Japanese forward has been picking up some interest from the Premier League with the likes of Southampton said to be interested in the 25-year-old.

Although there may be interest coming from south of the border, the Hoops will sit in a strong position if the interest is to develop given Maeda still has until the end of the 2025/26 campaign on his current deal.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed the Australian manager will be doing everything he can to keep the forward at Parkhead this month:

“I’m sure Ange Postecoglou will be demanding that the Celtic board keep hold of Maeda unless it’s an offer that they’ve received which is too good to turn down.

“But I’m sure Maeda is quite happy up at Celtic as well and Celtic will be keen to keep ahold of him.”

Delaying the inevitable?

The Bhoys have been no stranger to cashing in on some of their star players to Premier League sides in the past and we do wonder whether any efforts to keep him could be dealing the inevitable.

The likes of Virgil van Dijk has previously left for a move to the Saints in the past and Kieran Tierney is a more recent departure to Arsenal.

However, this does not go to say Postecoglou should just stand to one side and allow his players to leave in the middle of the season.

There is still an awful lot resting on the Bhoys this season with numerous trophies that they can get their hands on in this second half of the season.

And Maeda has been a key player in Postecoglou’s side over the opening stages of the campaign having already made 29 appearances this season.

Across the 20 appearances in the Scottish Premiership, Maeda has been able to provide a healthy return of five goals and five assists (via Transfermarkt).

Although there are a number of players at Celtic who has outscored the Japanese forward this season, the 25-year-old has offered some big goals in tight games against Rangers, Hearts and Motherwell this season.

There are reports suggesting Celtic’s Greek striker, Giorgos Giakoumakis, could be heading for the exit door at Paradise this month which could leave Postecoglou short if they are unable to replace him.

But when you have a player impressing on the biggest stage of them all as Maeda did at the World Cup, it will naturally be difficult to keep ahold of them.

Glasgow Rangers appear to be close to reaching an agreement to sign a long-term target as Michael Beale ramps up his efforts to improve his squad before the transfer window shuts…

What’s the news?

Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri tweeted regarding Standard Liege midfielder Nicolas Raskin and the fact Rangers appear to have held discussions with him, saying:

“Things are moving for Nicolas #Raskin ! Concrete interest and advanced discussions with #RangersFC . More info and details in the next few days…”

The Ibrox side were first linked with Raskin during the summer, however no move ever materialised with the Belgian outfit demanding a fee of €5.5m (£4.8m), yet with his contract set to expire at the end of the campaign, Beale might be able to secure his signature for a bargain fee this month.

A dream signing for Beale

There could be a mass exodus of midfielders come the end of the current campaign, with Scott Arfield, Steven Davis, and Ryan Jack all out of contract, while Malik Tillman and James Sands set to return to their parent clubs, therefore adding a few players this month will be crucial for Beale.

With Todd Cantwell also close to securing a deal with the Light Blues subject to a medical, one or two more midfielders wouldn’t be a bad thing and Raskin could prove to be an excellent signing.

The 21-year-old Belgian has an average rating of 7.01 across his 16 appearances for Liege this season and underlining his creative attributes by grabbing four assists, creating four big chances, and making 1.1 key passes per match and these performances rank him as the club’s sixth best performer in the squad this term.

It’s clear he has an attacking edge about him, but his defensive skillset is also extremely strong and he is similar to Ryan Jack in the way he operates on the pitch, a determined and combative player who likes to get stuck in, and by averaging 3.3 tackles per game, there is no shortage of fear in his game.

Raskin – who is a “box-to-box” and versatile “pitbull”, in the words of journalist Bob Faesen – could very well become a dream signing for Beale, adding some quality to the middle of the pitch, and giving the Englishman another option to choose from.

It looks increasingly likely that there will be outgoings, whether it is this month or the summer, but luring Raskin to Glasgow now would certainly allow him to bed into the manager’s philosophy and could give the side a big advantage heading into next season.

Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch will be able to welcome back several of his key players as his side welcome Brentford to Elland Road in the Premier League…

What’s the latest?

In recent weeks, the treatment room was becoming a busy place once again with skipper Liam Cooper, recent signing Max Wober and Robin Koch joining the likes of Luis Sinisterra, Adam Forshaw and Crysencio Summerville on the sidelines.

However, according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay, the majority of Marsch’s squad is fit to feature against the Bees today.

“Georginio Rutter is available and should be in the squad. He said himself that he wasn’t 100 per cent yet having missed some training while he was moving from Hoffenheim so a seat on the bench seems most likely – but I hope we’ll get to see him at some stage. The absentees today are Summerville, Forshaw, Gray and Dallas. From what Marsch said on Friday, everyone else should be fit,” he revealed in a pre-game update.

That means Cooper, Wober and Koch are all available in a major defensive boost.

Huge boost for Marsch

During the Whites’ midweek 5-2 win over Cardiff City in the FA Cup third-round replay, the £11m arrival went off injured in what appeared to look like a worrying blow. His versatility in playing left-back, centre-back and in midfield will be vital over the coming weeks, so the fact that he’s good to go is great news for Marsch and the squad.

Similarly, being able to welcome back their “real leader” – as described by journalist Dean Jones – in the Scotsman is going to be huge as without him, there is a considerable lack of true experience and guile in the backline.

Fellow defensive titan Pascal Struijk looked rusty and uncomfortable against the Championship outfit, having been moved centrally after playing much of the campaign out on the left, whilst Diego Llorente always seems to have a rick in him, so he cannot be relied on, which is why Koch’s availability is further key.

Sinisterra, who played his first 11 minutes in months against the Bluebirds, adds quality to the final third, where Leeds have lacked creativity and threat for much of the Premier League season, remaining winless since November.

All in all, this update is surely going to have the manager delighted as he can near-enough select from a full group of players and as such, that has got to bolster their chances of picking up a result against a European-chasing Brentford outfit this afternoon.

AND in other news, Forget Rutter: Marsch must unleash Leeds’ “mouth-watering” £21m “animal” on Brentford…

Newcastle United have reportedly made ‘inquiries’ over signing Zenit St. Petersburg winger Malcom this month.

The Lowdown: Gordon alternative?

It has recently been reported that a deal for Newcastle to sign Everton winger Anthony Gordon is now ‘unlikely’, after he returned to Finch Farm this morning after missing the last three days of training.

If the St. James’ Park outfit are unable to get their man, then they could swiftly move on to other targets with just a few days left of the transfer window remaining, and one name has emerged as a potential alternative…

The Latest: Malcom ‘inquiries’

Taking to Twitter, Foot Mercato journalist Dahbia Hattabi says that the North East club have made ‘inquiries’ over the possibility of signing Malcom, although he has been ‘offered’ to Ligue 1 giants PSG:

“Malcom (Zenit) has been offered to PSG as announced in Spain. Newcastle have come to inquiries for the Brazilian this winter.”

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The Verdict: Nice stopgap

Malcom could be a nice stopgap signing for the Tynesiders until the summer, where they could push for Gordon again or perhaps move on to more ambitious targets, with them looking like they can secure UEFA Champions League football at the end of the season given their league position.

Once hailed as ‘hugely talented’ by football writer Ryan Baldi, Malcom was once on the books of FC Barcelona before settling in at Zenit, where he has managed an impressive 31 goals and 22 assists in 98 games, with 22 of those goal contributions coming in this season alone (Transfermarkt).

The Brazilian has also been called up by his country, although is yet to earn a senior cap, but did play six games for Brazil’s Olympic team in 2021 (Transfermarkt), scoring the winner in the final no less as they defended their title.

Nonetheless, at 25 years of age, Malcom still has a lot to offer, and could fit in well at the Magpies alongside fellow Brazilians Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.

Southampton have reportedly won the race on deadline day to secure the signing of Rennes winger Kamaldeen Sulemana…

What’s the word?

Premier League outfit Everton had seemingly taken the lead in the race to secure the 20-year-old’s signature, with the Daily Mail reporting that the Toffees has seen an agreement for the ace alongside Saints, with the Merseyside outfit homing in on his name.

However, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the south coast club have now ‘struck an agreement’ with the Ligue 1 outfit and look set to win the race for him.

Arriving on a four-and-a-half year contract for an initial fee of €25m (£22m), Saints manager Nathan Jones has successfully bolstered his wide flanks with a immensely exciting addition.

Mane 2.0

The prodigious Sulemana has made 20 appearances for Rennes this season, scoring one goal and providing two assists – with both coming in the Europa League – and has swiftly asserted himself as one of the division’s most tantalising prospects.

According to one scout report, the Ghanaian gem is an innately devastating ball-carrier, with an ever-intensifying aura on the pitch and a growing knack at causing mayhem in-and-around the final third.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s big five leagues for completed dribbles, the top 15% for rate of assists and the top 11% for total shots, highlighting a budding prowess which could be harnessed to full effect at Staplewood.

When current Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag took the reins at AFC Ajax, he lauded the Ghana youngster as “incredible”, illuminating the expansive skill set at the African sensation’s disposal.

Should Southampton aptly channel his potential, the Saints could go on to enjoy their next Sadio Mane, another African attacker who scored 25 goals and supplied 14 assists for the club from 75 appearances before earning a £34m move to Liverpool in 2016.

Ranking among the top 13% of positional peers for rate of goals, the top 6% for dribbles completed and the top 3% for shot-creating actions, the lightning-quick Senegal ace, who is now playing for Bayern Munich, has become one of the standout attackers in European club football in recent years.

With the Saints loitering within the the Premier League relegation zone at present, indeed languishing at the very bottom of the division after 20 matches, a spark is certainly needed to roar them back into life. Much like Mane had been during the mid-2010s, Sulemana could be that phenomenon at St Mary’s.