Liverpool transfer news as Michael Olise stance emerges and January exit 'targeted'

It's not been a great few days for Liverpool, with Arne Slot hoping his side can offer a positive response against Chelsea this weekend.

Back-to-back defeats against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray have put a dampener on what had been a perfect start to the season beforehand, and have raised more questions over the integration of the Reds' summer signings.

With the likes of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak still needing more time to get up to speed with life on Merseyside, you might not think more signings would be the answer to Liverpool's current concerns. That's not going to stop the speculation before the January transfer window though.

Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today.

Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)

Liverpool is among a host of clubs “more than willing” to go big in order to sign Michael Olise next summer, according to Bild. It’s claimed that the Reds, Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are all showing an interest in the former Crystal Palace star, and are prepared to pay $118 million (€100M) for his services.

Bayern Munich though is desperate to ward off any interest in the 23-year-old amid rumors of an exit clause that activates next summer. The first steps are said to have been taken to try and get him to extend his current deal beyond 2029, with a new contract running until 2031 under discussion.

Liverpool.com says: $118M for a 23-year-old who could become Mohamed Salah's long-term replacement actually sounds like good business. We doubt it would be that easy to land Olise though.

Bayern would surely put up a major fight to keep a player it only signed last year, and if it can tie him down to a new deal, expect that figure to just be the starting point.

Joe Gomez (Liverpool)

There is a “great chance” Joe Gomez will join AC Milan in January, according to Italian outlet Calciomercato.

The defender was the subject of an attempt from the San Siro club to sign him on deadline day during the summer, but the deal was called off. Milan though has seemingly not given up hope of landing the 28-year-old.

It’s suggested that the seven-time European champions are confident of securing a deal for Gomez in January. Sporting director Igli Tare is said to be an admirer of the England international, and Milan believes it could get a bargain due to his contract only running until 2027.

Liverpool.com says: Dream on. There is absolutely no way Liverpool should be considering letting Gomez go in January.

Doing so would be monumentally bad business, even if the Reds are planning to revisit their interest in Marc Guehi. With Giovanni Leoni likely out for the rest of the season, Liverpool cannot be letting any of its other defensive options go. We'd be astounded if Gomez was actually allowed to leave in January.

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