Liverpool transfer news as $70M midfielder wanted and fresh Marc Guehi update emerges

Liverpool transfer news as Arne Slot is linked with a $70M midfielder that Real Madrid is also keeping tabs on and another update on Marc Guehi emerges amid Man City interest

Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)

At the halfway point of the January transfer window, in terms of senior additions, Liverpool has not made a move yet. Unless an opportunity comes up that can't be turned down, that is likely to remain the case.

Arne Slot's side is light of numbers, particularly in defense, at the moment, but Liverpool is not a team that panics in the market. It has been active mid-season in the past, but mainly to accelerate moves that had been lined up for the summer when it was possible to do so.

Nonetheless, the rumor mill never stops. Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today, with a Dutch wonderkid first on the agenda.

Kees Smit (AZ Alkmaar)

Liverpool and Real Madrid could go head-to-head to sign AZ Alkmaar sensation Kees Smit, a 19-year-old midfield prodigy, according to the Daily Star.

Smit has also been linked with a move to Newcastle United in recent months and is said to be valued at around $70 million (£52 million), with the Dutch side hoping there is a bidding war.

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman has previously compared Smit to Barcelona midfielder Pedri — no pressure — and he has already made 59 senior appearances for the club where he broke through.

Kees Smit of AZ Alkmaar(Image: Ed van de Pol/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

With Wataru Endo not particularly suited to how Arne Slot wants his deepest-lying midfielder to play, there is definitely a case for signing a midfielder more well-versed in playing a Liverpool-like system to help out Ryan Gravenberch.

It remains to be seen, however, whether Smit would be the right option. At 19, or 20 as he will turn this month, he might feel he needs to go somewhere where minutes are more guaranteed for now.

Liverpool.com says: Smit is clearly a huge talent but he would be best served moving somewhere like Borussia Dortmund. There, he could play every week and continue to develop.

Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)

As it stands, there is no frontrunner to sign Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi, according to Sky Sports, even though he came so close to a transfer move to Liverpool in September.

Guehi is wanted by Manchester City this month, but the Etihad side would also be prepared to move for him in the summer when his contract expires. Liverpool and Arsenal are also thought to be in the mix.

Abroad, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid are among the teams to have taken a look at Guehi. Those outside of the Premier League can speak freely with him now regarding a move in the summer.

Manchester City is seeking to sign a center-back after injury setbacks for Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias. There are also question marks over the long-term futures of John Stones and Nathan Ake.

Liverpool.com says: Signing Guehi now would be great but the Reds shouldn't pay what they were willing to in the last window. In just a few months, they can sign the 25-year-old for nothing, so splashing $50M or so now would seem daft.