First January deal Confirmed Liverpool want to sign a defensive midfielder and a left-sided centre-back Deal Agreed Virgil van Dijk speak Out on Contracts situation….

Liverpool transfer news: First January deal confirmed as Virgil van Dijk speaks out on contracts

Liverpool are trying to tie down Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold to new contracts during the January transfer window and have confirmed their first deal of the month

Liverpool have a clear priority in the January transfer window – and it is very different to some of their Premier League rivals.

While some of their closest rivals need to strengthen their squads by bringing in new players, the Reds are focused on keeping what they already have. That means getting new contracts signed for Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The star trio’s current deals expire at the end of June and they are therefore allowed to speak with foreign clubs about the possibility of a free transfer in the summer. That isn’t an issue for Salah and Van Dijk, who are now expected to sign two-year extensions, but Alexander-Arnold is being courted by Real Madrid.

Liverpool have rejected a first £20million offer for the 26-year-old, but the ball is now in his court. In the meantime, there are plenty of other stories to look at involving transfers and the club.

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Liverpool get mixed messages as Trent Alexander-Arnold decision made with Real Madrid circling

First deal confirmed

Liverpool confirmed on Monday that young goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga has moved back to Fluminense on a permanent deal. The 22-year-old joined Liverpool for £1.8m in 2020 but never made a first-team appearance, having spent time on loan with Macclesfield, St Patrick’s Athletic and Livingston.

With Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher ahead of him in the pecking order, the closest he came to the Liverpool first team was being named in seven match day squads.

The club said in a statement: “Everyone at LFC wishes Marcelo the best of luck for the future.” Although he’s left on a free transfer, Liverpool reportedly have a 40 per cent sell-on clause with Pitaluga, meaning they could be due money in the future.

Federico Chiesa’s agent has confirmed that the Italian winger will stay with Liverpool this season despite links with Napoli. Chiesa has made just four appearances for Liverpool since joining the club for £10m plus a further £2.5m in add-ons from Juventus in August.

He has been linked with a move back to Italy, with Napoli, Roma and his former club Fiorentina said to be interested. But his agent Vali Ramadan has rubbished those reports.

“Napoli did not negotiate a contract with Chiesa from Liverpool in the winter period, and the club has no intention of dispensing with the player,” he told 365scores. “The player is continuing with Liverpool and is seeking the opportunity to participate in the coming period. This is what I can confirm now.”

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The Liverpool head coach spoke to the media on Tuesday about Liverpool’s plans for the transfer window

Slot spoke to the media on Tuesday ahead of the clash with Tottenham

Arne Slot has reiterated that he is happy with his current Liverpool squad, but has not completely shut down the possibility of adding players to his ranks in January. Federico Chiesa was the Reds only summer signing, while they also agreed a deal with Valencia to sign goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili for next season.

Liverpool currently sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League table, are on the cusp of qualifying for the Champions League round-of-16, and are in League Cup semi-final and FA Cup third round action this week.