Liverpool has so far not been made to regret its relatively quiet summer transfer window — it has failed to win just once so far in the Arne Slot era, and it would be simplistic to claim that a new signing could have influenced that Nottingam Forest aberration. However, attention is already turning to whether the Reds might want to do any January business, with one target potentially set to be available .
The market was into its final week before Liverpool did anything at all, agreeing a year-in-advance deal for Giorgi Mamardashvili on August 27 before finally adding someone to the squad when Federico Chiesa arrived from Juventus on August 29. Plenty of other names were linked, none more credibly so than Martin Zubimendi , but nothing else came to fruition.
For his part, Zubimendi has played down the possibility of the Anfield transfer saga reigniting in January . But another player who was linked with a move to Liverpool in the summer could be the subject of some activity in the winter market.
Shortly before Chiesa links crystallized, Liverpool was linked to Atalanta (and former Everton) forward Ademola Lookman . According to Florian Plettenberg , he remains open to a new challenge, and a January move away from the Serie A outfit is a possibility. A bid of $33m (£25m/€30m) would likely get a deal done.
Whether the arrival of Chiesa at Liverpool means the ship has sailed in terms of an Anfield switch remains to be seen. But it's not hard to see why Lookman was a potential transfer target as recently as August — and if the conditions were right, the Reds could presumably still explore a move.
That being said, it would not be a wholly uncomplicated operation. Lookman, whose contract runs until 2026, is not short of suitors.
Around the same time that Liverpool was linked, Arsenal was also being credited with an interest. Meanwhile, PSG has been persistently mentioned , and is said to be on alert.
Lookman, 26, has started the season with two goals and two assists in four league appearances, as well as a goal and assist in two Champions League outings. He has averaged 20 league goal contributions per season over the last two campaigns.
Liverpool.com says: Lookman turns 27 next week, so he's not one for the long-term future. When it comes to medium-term forward options, Liverpool has ticked that box already with Chiesa.
The price looks about right, rather than being a notable bargain or a classic winter premium. The terms probably won't be so appealing as to tempt the new, "opportunistic" Liverpool into adding a seventh senior forward.
As such, Arsenal and PSG are likely to be left to battle it out if they want Lookman. But he's certainly a much better player than the one who struggled at Everton, and he has earned a big move somewhere if he wants it.
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