Liverpool Transfer News Today: Mbappe LOVED Reds pitch, fresh Andre TWIST and how Steven Gerrard SNUBBED Man Utd

The January window is now under way in 2024 and every day we bring you all the latest Liverpool transfer news and rumours as things start to play out.

Today we bring you another update on that long-running Kylian Mbappe saga, and a fresh take on an approach for a Reds legend which unsurprisingly got absolutely nowhere.

---

Kylian Mbappe has 'never forgotten' Liverpool transfer pitch claims French report

The race to sign Kylian Mbappe goes on, with another frenzied day of rumour and speculation about the future of the PSG and France megastar.

Real Madrid remain the apparent front runners to capture Mbappe's signature if he leaves the French capital on a free transfer this summer. PSG meanwhile retain hope that the 25-year-old striker will sign a new contract at the Parc des Princes.

The speculation linking Mbappe with Liverpool also continues, with French publication L'Equipe providing a new glimmer of hope for Reds fans by revealing more about his admiration for them on the back of their talks before he left Monaco for PSG.

"The courtship that the Reds paid to the striker when he was still in Monaco has never been forgotten and neither have the discussions in the private plane of the English club's shareholders flying over the Mediterranean. And if Carlo Ancelotti is a popular coach, Jurgen Klopp also knows how to do it."

Real Madrid turn to plan B - advantage Liverpool?

Meanwhile, Mbappe's other big suitors, Real Madrid are exploring other options to lead their attack next season, having become disillusioned with idea of landing the PSG star.

Mbappe has reportedly refused to comply with a deadline set by Madrid over a summer deal, as he continues to weigh his options.

A report from AS in Spain now claims that Madrid are studying the possibility of signing Erling Haaland instead, because "it is not clear that the Mbappe option will bear fruit".

The signing of Haaland by Madrid could be seen as having a double positive for Liverpool in that it could open the door for an Mbappe move, while also removing one of the best players from a direct domestic rival like Manchester City.

Fluminense now worried after rejecting Liverpool bid for Andre

Fluminense are now worried they made a mistake rejecting an offer from Liverpool for Andre. The Reds tried to get him in the summer.

This comes from journalist Victor Lessa. The claim is that Fluminense are now worried about the future of Andre after things looked so positive in the summer.

Andre was a much-talked-about player back then, with Liverpool putting in an offer to buy the defensive midfielder. However, Fluminense rejected the proposal as they were still hoping to win the Copa Libertadores.

The idea was that winning the competition was a priority, while his value would shoot up on the back of the success. And honestly, that made complete sense - few at Liverpool could begrudge them that.

Fluminense did indeed go on to win the Copa Libertadores, too, setting up a January exit for Andre. Only, the offers aren't there.

Liverpool went off the idea of signing Andre once Wataru Endo clicked with the side. Fulham, another potential destination, are holding onto Joao Palinha and don't need a new signing until the summer at the earliest.

How Steven Gerrard SNUBBED Man Utd transfer

It seems unthinkable and it was unthinkable - Steven Gerrard joining Man Utd. But despite what Sir Alex Ferguson might have later said in his book, Gerrard was once very much top of his Old Trafford shopping list.

Some 20 years on, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has recounted how while on England duty he tried to persuade Anfield great Gerrard to move to the Reds' bitter rivals at the behest of Ferguson. Predictably, he did not get very far.

Neville told The Overlap: "I went to see Stevie, and he was quite categoric pretty quickly. He said 'seriously, I wouldn't get out of Liverpool and my family would never get out of Liverpool'. They were his exact words to me. I always remember that."

Gerrard though responded with a slightly different take on events on his Instagram Stories, telling his former England team-mate: "It was a polite F#&k off".

Saudis target Gomez and Matip as Al Ettifaq project ramps up

Liverpool defensive duo Joe Gomez and Joel Matip have been discussed as potential summer transfer targets for Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq, according to one report.

AL Ettifaq are, notably, the club who signed Jordan Henderson from the Reds last summer in a £12m deal, while they are also managed by Steven Gerrard.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, writing for CaughtOffside, the Dammam-based club are looking at recruiting more of the Reds' stars this year, with Gomez and Matip 'discussed' as part of the club's transfer plans for the summer window.

In addition, ex-Liverpool academy star Ryan Kent, who played for Gerrard at Rangers, is also under consideration.

Jacobs writes: “Ettifaq are exploring a range of ambitious options both in January and this summer to bolster Gerrard’s squad. Two Al-Ettifaq targets for this window are Fenerbahce’s Ryan Kent and Al-Hilal’s Abdulellah Al-Malki. Steven Gerrard was part of a three-hour recruitment meeting on Monday where Liverpool’s Joel Matip and Joe Gomez, and Villa’s Bertrand Traore, were also discussed for summer 2024.”

Reds could benefit from Solanke windfall as Newcastle move in

Liverpool will be crossing their fingers after a new report linked Dominic Solanke with a move away from Bournemouth. Newcastle United now want the player.

The Telegraph report that Newcastle United have made an enquiry to Bournemouth about the availability of Dominic Solanke. The Magpies are in the market for a new striker and believe Solanke fits the bill nicely.

So where do Liverpool come into all of this now?

The Reds of course are the team that sold Solanke to Bournemouth in the first place, receiving £19m for a bit-part player. They also put a sell-on clause in that deal, according to the Liverpool Echo, and will receive around 20% of any profit on the player.

Chelsea fail with HUGE bid for Liverpool target Antonio Silva

Chelsea have seen an offer worth more than €60m turned down for Liverpool target Antonio Silva, according to a report.

20-year-old Silva has impressed for Benfica over the last season and a half, with the highly-rated centre back making 15 appearances in the Portuguese top flight in 2023/24.

Silva, who has seven senior caps for Portugal already, was named in the Primeira Liga's Team of the Year last season, while former Liverpool defender Abel Xavier has tipped him as a future captain of Benfica.

Another Liverpool youngster headed to the Football League

Following Fabio Carvalho's loan switch to Hull City earlier this week, young left back Luke Chambers could be the next player out the door as League One Wigan eye a loan deal.

The 19-year-old was reportedly courted by Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen over the summer, but remained at Anfield and has made four appearances in the League Cup and Europa League in 2023/24 so far.

With Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas out injured, letting go of another left back could be seen as a risk for Klopp, but Paul Joyce of the Times reports that Wigan are interested in the former Kilmarnock loanee on a temporary deal.

Watch this space.