Liverpool to wait for BOMBSHELL deal for England international

Liverpool completed deals for £450m worth of talent during the summer transfer window - but sporting director Richard Hughes isn’t finished yet.

Having recruited Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni and Giorgi Mamardashvili, the Premier League champions have got plans to strengthen even further.

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That’s because there remains a gap at centre-back following the last-minute failure to land Marc Guehi. The Reds wanted to sign the Crystal Palace captain on deadline day and were willing to pay an initial £35m for the England international.

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However, Palace pulled out of the deal owing to a failure to land a replacement of their own -frustrating Liverpool’s efforts to fortify the backline.

Liverpool linked again with Branthwaite

With Ibrahima Konate out of contract in 2026 - and Leoni out for the season - the Anfield club have got a pressing need for central defensive reinforcements.

We could see a move for Guehi on a free transfer next summer - but those links haven’t prevented the Reds from looking at other defenders.

One such name appearing in recent reports is that of Jarrad Branthwaite.

The Everton stopper, 23, is under contract at Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals until 2030 - but he has been associated with moves to both Manchester United and Liverpool.

No Branthwaite deal possible in January

Any hopes that the Reds had of signing the England international will have to be put on hold until summer at least. A new report in Football Insider claims that Everton have ruled OUT the possibility of their prized asset departing in January.

“Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite will not be sold by Everton in January,” a report reads. “That is despite Manchester United and Liverpool both showing an interest in the 23-year-old, as they look to solve their centre-back issues.”

Liverpool down to THREE fit centre-backs

Branthwaite remains on the treatment table owing to a muscle injury and hasn’t yet played for the Toffees this season.

Liverpool have also been linked with the likes of Aaron Bouwman and Youri Baas of Ajax as well as Jan Paul van Hecke of Brighton.

Right now only Virgil van Dijk, Konate and Joe Gomez are available as senior fit centre-back options for head coach Arne Slot.

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