wicked.football

Michael Edwards appears ready to plot a familiar transfer path for Liverpool and reportedly looks set to win the race to sign Fulham teenager Fabio Carvalho.

The Reds have been linked with a plethora of names this month as they look for a strong finish to the season. With the club second in the Premier League, they are also due to face Inter Milan in the Champions League round-of-16. Furthermore, they are also through to the Carabao Cup final and will also hope for a deep run in the FA Cup.

The month of January has traditionally always proved tricky for the Reds. Indeed, it’s a month when their form often suffers; an issue complicated this year by Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane’s AFCON involvement.

However, Liverpool are unbeaten so far in 2022, only dropping Premier League points in a 2-2 draw at Chelsea.

And they have done so without, so far, spending a penny.

Liverpool are seemingly looking at forwards in the event Salah doesn’t agree a new deal and moves on. To that end, FC Porto’s Luis Diaz and Leeds winger Raphinha are two potential targets.

The Reds are also regularly linked with midfielders, though appear out of the running for free agent Denis Zakaria.

However, Jurgen Klopp has distanced Liverpool from making any midfield additions this month, claiming he’s happy with his options.

However, as per The Athletic, while the quiet month is set to continue at Anfield, the one deal Liverpool are pushing for is Carvalho.

Carvalho has had a breakout season in the Championship this term, after making his senior debut last season. The 19-year-old has contributed to 11 goals in 17 league games this season. Indeed, five of those goal involvements coming in the last three games.

The attacking-midfielder’s top form has helped Fulham to a five-point lead in the Championship title race. What’s more, he reportedly rejected a new contract from the Cottagers in November.

The player is not short of admirers either. Both Leeds and Liverpool have been strongly linked.

Liverpool ready for Fabio Carvalho transfer

However, James Pearce writes that is Liverpool who are most likely to secure his signing.

He claims his situation is being closely watched by sporting director Michael Edwards. And it seems the Reds will move to sign him in a bargain deal if Fulham decide to cash in.

Pearce, though, also leaves open the possibility of a summer move to Anfield.

‘Liverpool retain an interest in Fulham attacking midfielder Fabio Carvalho,’ he writes. ‘The club’s recruitment staff are monitoring the teenager’s situation closely.

‘If Fulham decide to cash in before the deadline then Liverpool will have a decision to make. But, as things stand, the player will be staying put until his contract expires in the summer.’

Liverpool have already raided Fulham in recent years for one of their young talents, with Harvey Elliott looking every inch a long-term Reds star.

Outgoings likely at Liverpool

While a deal for Carvalho looks possible for the Reds before the window shuts, it seems most of their business will be in players leaving.

One such player who could leave is Nat Phillips. The Reds will not stand in his way if any side matches their £15m valuation. Liverpool have already rejected an offer from Watford, while West Ham are among his suitors.

Divock Origi is another star who could depart, with Newcastle among those linked.

Liverpool are also hoping to offload goalkeeper Loris Karius.

Reds goalkeeping coach John Achterberg has stressed the need for Karius to move on this month. Karius is out of contract next summer, but an early exit would be to the player’s benefit with his chances of working his way back into Klopp’s plans virtually zero.

“In the end it’s down to him, his agent and the club to try to find a solution,” said Achterberg. “Hopefully there will be one this month.

“It doesn’t help anyone to sit for another six months without the feeling that you are really fighting for something. That’s not going to improve him.

“He needs to use his quality to make a career now. Loris has a lot of good qualities.”

READ MORE: Gerrard to launch fresh bid for Liverpool star in area Reds looking to sell

The post Michael Edwards ready to strike gold with solitary January addition at Liverpool revealed appeared first on TEAMtalk.