Honestly, if you're looking for a frantic, deadline-day-style spending spree at Anfield this January, you might want to look elsewhere. Liverpool is playing a different game. While the "big six" rivals are often seen panic-buying to fix mid-season slumps, Richard Hughes and Arne Slot seem remarkably chilled.
It’s about the long game.
Right now, the Liverpool football transfer news now is less about immediate first-team "galacticos" and more about high-level succession planning. If you've been following the reports from the likes of The Mirror and Sky Sports this week, you know the Marc Guéhi saga finally took a massive turn—and not the one Liverpool fans wanted.
The Marc Guéhi twist and why Liverpool passed
For months, we were told Guéhi was the chosen one. He was the man to eventually take the torch from Virgil van Dijk. But as of January 18, 2026, the Crystal Palace captain is reportedly undergoing a medical at Manchester City.
City moved fast with a £30 million bid.
Why didn't Liverpool hijack it? Kaveh Solhekol over at Sky Sports put it bluntly: Liverpool were only interested if they could get him for free in the summer. They were "blasé" about it. Basically, Slot and Hughes looked at the £20-30 million price tag for a player whose contract expires in six months and decided it wasn't worth breaking the bank now.
It’s a gutsy move.
The Reds have suffered at the back this season, conceding a frustrating 13 goals from set pieces. With Geovani Leoni out with a long-term ACL injury sustained against Southampton back in September, the depth at centre-back is thin. Yet, the club hierarchy is betting on the current crop to see them through.
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Stockpiling the next generation
Instead of Guéhi, Liverpool has been quietly busy in the "wonderkid" market. You’ve probably seen the name Mor Talla Ndiaye pop up. The Senegalese defender joined from Amitie FC earlier this month to link up with the U21s.
Then there’s Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
Talks are deep with Austria Vienna for the 17-year-old. The word is an initial £2.6 million fee is on the table. He won’t be starting against Burnley this weekend, but he’s clearly part of the "Project 2027" vision Hughes is building.
The Nico Schlotterbeck Factor
With Guéhi out of the picture, attention is shifting to the Bundesliga. Nico Schlotterbeck is the name on everyone’s lips. Reports out of Germany suggest Bayern Munich has cooled their interest because they find the Borussia Dortmund man too pricey.
That opens a window.
Graeme Bailey has confirmed that Liverpool held talks with Schlotterbeck’s representatives back in December. He’s the "specific profile" Slot wants—comfortable on the ball, left-footed, and aggressive in the air. If a deal happens, it’s more likely to be a summer blockbuster, but don’t rule out a late January move if Dortmund’s resolve wavers under a £50 million bid.
The Mo Salah and Federico Chiesa ripple effect
Let’s talk about the attack. Mo Salah is back from AFCON duty after Egypt’s run in Morocco, and his return has some interesting side effects.
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First, the drama.
Remember that public spat between Salah and Slot a few weeks back? It felt like the end. But they’ve reportedly patched things up. Slot spoke incredibly highly of him in Friday’s press conference, confirming he’ll be available for the Champions League clash with Marseille.
But Salah staying might mean Federico Chiesa leaving.
The Italian has struggled to find his rhythm, partly due to the form of summer signings Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike. Liverpool has reportedly slapped a €20 million price tag on Chiesa. If he moves back to Serie A this month, it frees up wages and a squad spot.
The Harry Wilson Rumour
Here’s a weird one for you: Harry Wilson.
The former Reds academy star is flying at Fulham—seven goals and four assists so far this term. Stephane Henchoz and Sam Allardyce have both gone on record saying a return to Anfield would be a "shrewd move" for Liverpool.
Is it happening? Probably not.
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But with Wilson's contract at Fulham expiring this summer, he represents the kind of low-risk, high-reward squad depth that Richard Hughes loves. It’s an interesting narrative, especially given Liverpool’s occasional lack of creative spark on the right flank when Salah is rested.
Why the "boring" window is actually a win
Some fans are calling this window "boring."
They look at the 14-point gap behind Arsenal and want a Savior. But look at what Liverpool did last summer: £400 million spent. Florian Wirtz for £116 million. Alexander Isak in a record deal. Milos Kerkez at left-back.
You can’t spend like that every six months.
The current Liverpool football transfer news now reflects a club that has moved past the "rebuild" phase and into "refinement." Slot is managing a squad of superstars who are still learning his system. Adding three more first-teamers in January usually causes more chaos than it fixes.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of January
If you're following the Reds' business this month, keep these specific points in mind:
- Watch the Wingers: If Chiesa leaves for Juventus or Inter, expect a late-window link to a young winger like Malick Fofana or Bradley Barcola. Slot has been vocal about needing "one vs one" specialists.
- The Van Dijk/Salah Extension: Both are under contract until 2027 following their renewals last April. Any transfer news suggesting they are leaving this month is pure clickbait.
- RB Leipzig Watch: Keep an eye on Yan Diomande. The 19-year-old recently called playing at Anfield a "dream." While a move won't happen until summer due to his £86m valuation, the groundwork is being laid now.
- Trent's Future: Unlike Salah and Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold is widely expected to head to Real Madrid as a free agent in June. Liverpool’s lack of movement for a right-back this month suggests they might be looking at internal solutions like Conor Bradley (once fit) or a massive summer replacement.
Liverpool is clearly prioritizing financial sustainability over short-term fixes. They missed out on Guéhi because they refused to be bullied on price, and they are stockpiling teenagers because that’s how you stay at the top without a state-owned bank account. It’s not flashy, but it’s the Liverpool way under the new regime.
Focus on the summer of 2026. That’s when the real fireworks—especially regarding the winger positions and the post-Trent era—will truly begin. For now, expect Mor Talla Ndiaye and potentially Ifeanyi Ndukwe to be the only faces through the door.
Next Steps for Fans:
Track the fitness of Conor Bradley and the official status of the Ifeanyi Ndukwe talks. If Ndukwe signs before the January 31st deadline, it confirms Liverpool’s total pivot toward youth recruitment for the remainder of the season. Stay tuned to the club's official portal for the "here we go" on the Austrian youngster.