Liverpool transfer news as Bayern Munich ace targeted and Chelsea could bid $71M

Liverpool transfer news as Bayern Munich center-back Dayot Upamecano is linked and Chelsea could reportedly move for a $71M defender before the Reds get involved

Dayot Upamecano of Bayern Munich is being linked with Liverpool(Image: Wart Brinkerhof/Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi via Getty Images)

Liverpool is unlikely to sign anyone before Monday's transfer deadline but the summer could be a big period for Arne Slot and his sporting director Richard Hughes.

With some glaring gaps in its roster, Liverpool could be taking a major gamble when it comes to the rest of this campaign and qualifying for the Champions League. Waiting, though, means better targets might be available in the next window.

Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the latest transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds. We start with the latest in the chase for an exciting young center-back wanted by several clubs around Europe.

Jeremy Jacquet (Rennes)

Chelsea wants to sign Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes. The Ligue 1 side wants to keep him until the summer. Even so, reports in France say the Stamford Bridge outfit could table an offer before Monday.

According to Ouest France, Liam Rosenior's club has a $71 million (£52 million) bid for Jacquet lined up, in part because it fears Liverpool could join the race in the summer.

There has been speculation that Rennes could move for Charlie Cresswell, who plays for Toulouse. The report plays that down, however, with no talks held regarding the England U21 international, because the club is insistent that Jacquet will remain put.

Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet is also being linked with the Reds(Image: Getty Images)

Bayern Munich has also been linked with Jacquet, who is an exciting emerging talent, but BILD's Christian Falk has played such speculation down.

"Bayern Munich are not a big competitor for Jeremy Jacquet’s signature," Falk wrote in his CF Bayern Insider column.

"They know him, and he has a market for the summer, but Bayern are not, at the moment, involved in negotiations. This means there’s a big chance for the Premier League."

Liverpool.com says: Jacquet would be a great option, even if he is set to be costly. If Rennes is not prepared to sell until the end of the season, he might be worth waiting for.

Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)

Liverpool is among the clubs around Europe that are interested in signing the Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano, according to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg.

The French center-back is supposedly 'waiting' for the Reds and Real Madrid to make a move for him if he becomes a free agent in the summer. At that point, he will be very much in demand if he doesn't sign a new deal.

Ibrahima Konate, of course, could leave Liverpool for nothing in the summer. Signing Marc Guehi was one option until he joined Manchester City, and signing another defender, even if Konate stays, should be a must.

Liverpool.com says: Upamecano would probably have high wage demands and while he is a high-level player, he can be prone to high-profile mistakes.