Liverpool transfer news today: INJURY-PRONE winger and ex-LEEDS man linked, plus more Mbappe DRAMA

Here's our Liverpool FC transfer news roundup for Tuesday 6 February 2024 with updates on Kylian Mbappe, Raphinha, Ansu Fati and more.

The January transfer window is closed - and while Liverpool remained unsurprisingly inactive throughout the month, the rumour mill continues to spin with a big shakeup in the Reds' squad expected this coming summer.

With Jurgen Klopp heading out the door, the next window will be crucial. So, with that, here are the latest names that are being linked with a move to Anfield.

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BARCELONA DUO TO REPLACE SALAH?

With speculation growing over Mohamed Salah's long-term future, the Reds have been linked with a host of potential replacements, with the Spanish press (via TEAMtalk) claiming on Monday that there is interest in Barcelona pair Raphinha and Ansu Fati.

The former Leeds United forward has been regularly linked with Liverpool in the past, even prior to his move to Catalonia. The Brazilian made a quick start to life in Spain but has since fallen down the pecking order.

Now, with Barcelona's financial woes and the emergence of wonderkid Lamine Yamal, the La Liga champions could be tempted to cash in on the 27-year-old.

In the case of Fati, currently out on loan at Brighton, the Spaniard has shown glimpses of his quality with the Seagulls, with four goals and an assist in 14 Premier League and Europa League outings this season.

However, the forward has struggled with injuries throughout his career and has done so on the English south coast as well, with reports suggesting that Liverpool would wait to see how he gets on at the Amex before deciding on whether to make a move for the 21-year-old.

MBAPPE MADRID MOVES HITS STUMBLING BLOCK?

In the biggest transfer saga of the year, it seems there could still be yet another twist.

Despite reports of a deal, Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappe are yet to reach an agreement on the superstar's salary.

At the end of last week, it was reported that the 25-year-old forward had finally come to a decision on his future, settling on a move to Real Madrid this summer at the end of his Paris Saint-Germain contract.

However, according to the Independent, the drama isn't quite over, with the move not yet signed off.

It is claimed that Madrid and Mbappe are 'still negotiating' with the parties some way apart on his wage package. The issue is described as a 'stumbling block' in the way of the deal's completion.

That said, it's unlikely to reopen the door to Liverpool just yet.

AMORIM APPOINTMENT COULD SOLVE TWO PROBLEMS

Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim is one of the leading candidates to replace Jurgen Klopp in the summer and the odds on the Portuguese coming to Merseyside have shortened considerably in recent days.

This is because, according to the Echo, many are pointing towards the Reds' close monitoring of three defenders on the books at the Lisbon side.

If Amorim were to take the hot seat, it could pave the way for Goncalo Inacio, Ousmane Diomande or even Jeremiah St Juste to come to the club too.

STEIDTEN WOULD FIND IT "DIFFICULT" TO TURN DOWN THE REDS

West Ham technical director Tim Steidten, reportedly a candidate to replace Jorg Schmadtke as Liverpool's director of football, would find it "very difficult to turn the role down", according to reports.

As per Mail Sport, Steidten has emerged as a leading contender for the position, and their sources believe that the German may find it hard to resist an approach should one materialise.

Football Insider and Sky Sport Germany also support the link to the Hammers' transfer supremo, with reports suggesting the Reds have officially set their sights on the 44-year-old, who has been making waves as the technical brain behind West Ham's recent successes.

Having only headed to East London last summer, Steidten has quickly become a key figure, orchestrating a series of impressive signings, including those of Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez from Ajax, Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City and James Ward-Prowse from Southampton.