Grabara loan exit and Lallana’s future & replacement – Liverpool FC transfer rumour roundup

The January transfer window has already seen Liverpool offload a couple of players—but the rumour mill suggests there’s more to come this month.

Jurgen Klopp has continually said not to expect much business on the incoming front for Liverpool, but a similar message was put out a year ago ahead of Virgil van Dijk‘s arrival.

The Reds have also signed the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Agger and current striker Daniel Sturridge midway through the season in previous campaigns, so mid-season signings are nothing new for the Reds.

To-date, though, it is just a pair of outgoings that fans have witnessed, with Nathaniel Clyne loaned to Bournemouth and Dominic Solanke sold to the same club for £19 million.

Headlining the rumours for the Reds over the weekend is a senior midfielder’s future, both in terms of this season and who could replace him over the longer-term.

 

No chance Lallana leaves, but his replacement is lined up

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, October 23, 2018: Liverpool's Adam Lallana during a training session at Melwood Training Ground ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group C match between Liverpool FC and FK Crvena zvezda (Red Star Belgrade). (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Adam Lallana hasn’t had too many chances in the first-team this season, being injured earlier on in the campaign and playing only a supporting role since returning.

Given the Reds remain top of the Premier League that’s not a surprise, but it doesn’t look entirely clear-cut how the attacking midfielder can win himself a place back in the side either.

Despite that, Sky Sports report that Klopp is unwilling to let his former favourite depart and will instead look to reintegrate him into the team over the coming weeks.

Lallana has been part of every matchday squad across the last seven league games, appearing off the bench three times in that period.

He’s likely to play against Wolves in the FA Cup, but after that, at best he will be looking to play backup in a role such as that occupied Sadio Mane. The Reds need all their players fit and able to contribute, though, so hopefully Lallana rediscovers form in the cup game.

While that’s Lallana staying for the short term, beyond the summer might be a different matter.

The Mirror report that the Reds have identified Abdulkadir Omur as a £27 million successor for Lallana.

Omur is a 19-year-old attacking midfielder who plays in his homeland of Turkey for Trabzonspor and is captain of the U21s for his national team.

Predominantly featuring from the right wing, Omur has also been targeted by Fenerbahce, Southampton and Man City—but Klopp is determined to secure a deal this month to bring him to Anfield in the summer.

This season, Omur has two goals in 16 SuperLig matches—a brace netted in his final fixture before the winter break. He also has three assists.

 

Grabara set for loan move

ROTTACH-EGERN, GERMANY - Friday, July 28, 2017: Liverpool's goalkeeper Kamil Grabara during a training session at FC Rottach-Egern on day three of the preseason training camp in Germany. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Klopp has seen several of his young players flourish out on loan this season, with Ryan Kent at Rangers, Herbie Kane at Doncaster and Harry Wilson at Derby all enjoying productive spells.

Now 19-year-old goalkeeper Kamil Grabara could be set to join the ranks of Reds plying their trade elsewhere, with reports suggesting he’s set for a loan move to Denmark.

Polish football insider @Janekx89 first reported on Twitter, since reported by Polish outlets, that Grabara will move to AGF Aarhus for the second half of the season.

PORTO, PORTUGAL - Tuesday, February 13, 2018: Liverpool's goalkeeper Kamil Grabara during a training session at the Est·dio do Drag„o ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st leg match between FC Porto and Liverpool FC. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Grabara has impressed coming through the ranks at Kirkby since joining in 2016, but has yet to make his senior debut in competitive action.

He did make appearances in pre-season for Klopp’s side, however, and was on the bench for the League Cup defeat to Chelsea in September.

Caoimhin Kelleher would be left as Liverpool’s third-choice goalkeeper, behind Alisson and Simon Mignolet, while also remaining as the regular U23’s stopper.

AGF resume their Superliga campaign in February, but will play winter friendlies and the Atlantic Cup before that. They currently sit 10th in the 14-team league.

 

Ongoing rumours: Origi and Militao

BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - Tuesday, July 10, 2018: Liverpool's Divock Origi during a preseason friendly match between Tranmere Rovers FC and Liverpool FC at Prenton Park. (Pic by Paul Greenwood/Propaganda)

A couple of other rumours persist about potential ins and outs, though they seem to be dragging on without any real substance.

Divock Origi was the subject of interest in summer but rejected a move away and has been reduced to a bit-part role since then—albeit one which produced a memorable derby-day winner!

The Belgian striker is likely to feature against Wolves in the FA Cup on Monday, but that could yet prove to be his last outing for the Reds.

Mail Online report Origi is wanted by Fulham as Claudio Ranieri looks to add firepower to his squad as they battle the drop—a £15 million bid is suggested to be imminent.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, December 2, 2018: Liverpool's Divock Origi prepares to come on as a substitute during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield, the 232nd Merseyside Derby. (Pic by Paul Greenwood/Propaganda)

And finally, Liverpool’s supposed interest in Eder Militao might prove to be short-lived.

The Reds joined Man United in the hunt for the £42 million defender, report the Mirror, but Marca say Real Madrid have identified him as a target and will make a quick move for the Porto man.

Klopp had already confirmed the Reds wouldn’t look to sign a centre-back in January in any case, with Joel Matip and Joe Gomez both scheduled to return from injury this month.

More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments