Liverpool transfer news: Reds face £51.1m release clause to land final Jurgen Klopp signing

Liverpool are set for a change in the dugout in the very near future but that isn’t stopping the Reds from being linked with moves for new players

Liverpool has not made any moves over the final three days of the January transfer window.

Because of their activity in the loan market, the Reds have seen players come back and go again. Some, like Fabio Carvalho, returned from RB Leipzig and then relocated to Hull, while Nat Phillips, who returned to Anfield from Celtic, is still looking for a new home.

The impending departure of Jurgen Klopp will make any prospective transfers that the Premier League team looks to complete more difficult. Less than six months will remain for any new hire to work with the German coach.

However, as evidenced by the recent additions of Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz, Liverpool has demonstrated its capacity to seize a January opportunity. Mirror Football examines the most recent Anfield transfer rumors and news.

Klopp’s final signing?

Liverpool will be required to activate the release clause of the Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo should they wish to land him this month. Mundo Deportivo suggest that despite interest from Manchester United, Juventus and Al-Nassr in addition to the Reds, that the Basque side are reluctant to part ways with both the Japanese international and Martin Zubimendi.

That means a £51.2million fee would be required to land Kubo, but the outlet suggests that the 22-year-old could be reluctant to depart in January or the summer.

The winger has netted six times and provided three assist in 18 La Liga appearances and is currently participating in the Asia Cup. That form has seen Liverpool ‘ask’ about the star as a possible final signing for Klopp.

Gonçalo Inácio opportunity

A winter move for Sporting ace Gonçalo Inacio has been all but ruled out amid interest from Liverpool and Newcastle, but the Portuguese club could be more receptive later in 2024. Ruben Amorim’s side are currently top of Liga Portugal and the Lisbon-based team are firmly focused on winning the title.

Their stance over Inacio could soften in the summer however report Record, via Sport Witness. The defender has a £50m release clause that Sporting could be willing to negotiate over as they try to surpass their summer 2022 record income of £100m.

Virgil van Dijk speaks out

Klopp’s departure leaves more uncertainty for Liverpool’s transformation, and with the likes of Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold all out of contract in 2025, big decisions away. If the Reds were under any illusion of the tasks that await, the Dutch defender has already admitted he doesn’t know where his future lies.

The 33-year-old Netherlands international, a mainstay of the Liverpool defense in previous campaigns, will turn 33 at the end of the current campaign. It’s far from certain whether he will stay that mainstay.

In response to the topic of whether he believes he is a part of Liverpool’s new era, van Dijk said, “That’s a big question.” Alright, I’m not sure.”

“Listen, I don’t know,” he added. “The club will have a big job on their hands, that is well known. To replace the manager and replace not only the manager, the staff is leaving, and there are so many things that will change, so the club has a big job on its hands.

“I am very curious which direction that will go in. But when that will be announced we will see our situation. I can’t say now.”