Liverpool Transfer News Today: Al Ettifaq target Reds duo, Jean-Clair Todibo interest & Paul Glatzel exit

While Liverpool FC are not necessarily going to bolster their squad in the January window, that hasn't stopped speculation linking a host of names with Anfield - and we have all the latest transfer news and rumours for you.

There are also potential Merseyside departures this January, as we bring you up to date with the very latest news today.

---

AL ETTIFAQ TARGET LIVERPOOL DUO

Steven Gerrard may not last too much longer at Al Ettifaq, but his Saudi Pro League side are reportedly targeting two more Liverpool players.

Al Ettifaq signed Jordan Henderson from the Reds last summer - a move that has been disastrous for the former Liverpool captain - and Georginio Wijnaldum is also working under Gerrard at present in Saudi Arabia.

The Pro League club are reportedly lining up moves for Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara when the duo become free agents next summer, according to 90min.

Al Ettifaq are free to make contact with Matip and Thiago in January about moves, with both players potentially being allowed to leave Anfield come the end of their current deals.

KYLIAN MBAPPE'S EYE-WATERING DEMANDS

Kylian Mbappe's future remains undecided, the Paris Saint-Germain forward supposedly still a target for Liverpool when his current deal with the French side expires next summer.

Real Madrid are the other major candidates for his signature, with Mbappe expected to confirm his future plans in the next few weeks.

The World Cup winner is a sensational talent and one that would make any side on the planet vastly better, but the finances involved in any potential deal are simply outrageous.

According to reports, Mbappe will expect a post-tax salary of £64m-a-year, which corresponds to roughly £1.2 per week.

The idea that FSG would be willing to sanction such a lucrative and ludicrous deal is absolutely absurd.

LIVERPOOL'S TRANSFER ADVANTAGE OVER MAN UTD

The Reds have been linked with a whole host of centre-back options over the past few weeks and months, with Jean-Clair Todibo a name that has cropped up on several occasions.

The OGC Nice centre-back has also been linked with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, the latter having just been partially taken over by Sir Jim Ratcliffe - the owner of the INEOS Group that owns Nice.

It was expected that Todibo would end up at Man Utd given the ownership situation at Old Trafford, but Liverpool reportedly still hold an advantage over their bitter rivals in the pursuit of the Frenchman due to their settled and competitive squad.

Ibrahima Konate could also be used to lure Todibo to Anfield, although any deal would apparently set the Reds back around £51.5m.

MORE YOUNGSTERS EXIT MERSEYSIDE

While it hasn't been a busy transfer window when it comes to Liverpool's first team, there has been plenty of transfer business conducted by the academy.

One of those on their way out of Liverpool is Luke Chambers, the young left-back having featured several times for the Reds in the Carabao Cup this season.

Chambers has gone on loan to Wigan Athletic until the end of the season, but there is expected to be a permanent exit for U21s forward Paul Glatzel.

The Germany U18 international has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and will be departing Liverpool this winter.

The striker will move to Swindon Town in League Two, although the Reds are unlikely to receive much in the way of transfer fee given he only has six months left on his current deal.

ANOTHER LOANEE TO RETURN TO LIVERPOOL

Liverpool have already recalled James Balagizi, Rhys Williams and Fabio Carvalho from unsuccessful loans this January, with another struggling youngster potentially returning to Anfield earlier than expected.

Young centre-back Billy Koumetio had been on loan at Dunkerque in Ligue 2 during the first half of the season, but appears set to end his loan spell early having made just nine appearances for the club.

The defender is reportedly not in training with the Dunkerque first team anymore and will likely be sent out on another loan spell this winter if possible.

A player who had big potential coming through the Liverpool youth setup, Koumetio may not be able to live up to the hype.

Reds ask about Kevin Mantilla

Tallares president, Andres Fassi, has confirmed that Liverpool have asked about Colombian centre-back Kevin Mantilla. This isn't the first time the Reds have been linked with the youngster, either.

Mantilla joined Tallares in the summer and has the Reds - as well as Brighton - keeping tabs on him.

“It’s true, they have been following him for four months now. And they asked us for information about his physical records,” Fassi told La Voz. The next young talent to join Liverpool? One to watch, certainly.