Liverpool reject Serie A offer as Arne Slot asks defensive star to stay

Feargal Brennan

Liverpool reject Serie A offer as Arne Slot asks defensive star to stay image

Liverpool are expected to be active in the January transfer window despite their big spending summer.

Arne Slot twice broke the Premier League transfer record as he paid over £225m for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak combined.

However, the Dutch coach could dip into the mid-season market due to concerns over his defensive depth, after missing out on Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi.

Liverpool could not agree the final details over a £35m deadline day deal and Guehi has remained at Selhurst Park with his contract expiring in June 2026.

The Reds are confident of landing him as a free agent next summer, but Palace want to sell in January to ensure a transfer profit, with Real Madrid now in the race for the 25-year-old.

However, a season-ending injury to new signing Giovanni Leoni has changed Slot's plans with captain Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez his only senior options at centre-back.

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Konate has endured a mixed start to the campaign and he could also leave Anfield when his own agreement expires at the end of 2025/26.

Gomez is contracted until 2027, but the England star was targeted by several Premier League sides in August, but Slot opted to retain him.

Giovanni Leoni

Getty

Leoni's arrival was expected to speed up his exit, but the Italian's injury has blocked a January move, despite Italian outlet Calciomercato claiming AC Milan are plotting an offer.

The Serie A giants are on the hunt for a new defender, with Gomez valued at £20m on Merseyside, but Slot is too wary to let him.

Liverpool may test the water with a Guehi offer at the start of 2026, or target an experienced loan option, but Gomez will remain in place despite his lack of action.

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Feargal Brennan

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.