Liverpool Transfer News Today: Thiago REQUEST, Mbappe €100m offer and SECRET meetings for Swedish wonderkid

We're more than halfway through the January window and, actual new signings or not, we're bringing you all the latest Liverpool transfer news and rumours as things unfold.

Today we have the latest on interest in Thiago, the Reds' links to a Swedish wonderkid, rekindled talk of a Chelsea star and (inevitably) more on the Kylian Mbappe soap opera.

Let's get stuck in.

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Kylian Mbappe offered the 'pyramids of Egypt'.

Let's get it out the way first then.

Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to offer Kylian Mbappe a salary no other club can compete with in order to keep him at the club, amid interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool.

The 25-year-old superstar is now into the final six months of his PSG deal and, as such, can discuss terms with foreign suitors over a summer deal, should he wish.

However, according to RMC Sport journalist Daniel Riolo, Mbappe has been offered an unmatchable deal worth €100m a year if he renews his contract in the French capital.

Riolo said: "On the one hand, we have an offer for him to extend, which is ancient Rome, ancient Greece, and the pyramids of Egypt given to a player. Something never seen before which will far exceed €100m per season. So something that no club will ever be able to match. What is being offered to Mbappe by PSG is incredible.

"It will be with advantages for the brother, for the family, for everyone… the player agency that the mother wants to set up. Honestly, it’s incredible stuff."

Anfield Watch understands that while Liverpool and Mbappe have flirted over the years, the Reds would only entertain a move for the man who finished third in the 2023 Ballon d'Or rankings in the event that top earner Mohamed Salah were to leave the club in the summer.

However, with the 31-year-old Egyptian now leaning towards a contract renewal, the possibility of competing for Mbappe appears increasingly remote.

Thiago 'requested' – meeting scheduled in Spain for Liverpool playmaker

From one star with an expiring contract to another... Thiago Alcantara is the subject of interest from Brazilian club Flamengo.

The 46-cap Spain international, who is out contract this summer, is able to discuss terms with foreign clubs over a summer and it seems there are already suitors.

According to Brazilian journalist Julio Miguel Neto, Thiago is wanted by Flamengo, with coach Tite putting in a "request" for the deep-lying playmaker.

It is added that the club's vice-president Marcos Braz and director of football Bruno Spindel are due to travel to Europe for talks over transfer targets and will meet with Thiago's father and advisor, Mazinho – a former Brazil international, now based in Spain.

Moreten Frendrup's price tag

Liverpool are likely to face competition from both the Premier League and Serie A for transfer target Morten Frendrup.

As first reported by Anfield Watch last year, the Reds have been monitoring the Danish midfielder in recent times, keeping tabs on his performances for Serie A side Genoa.

Speaking to Tipsbladet, Gianluca Di Marzio claimed that the Italian club would likely settle for a price of around €15m (£13m) for their star.

The transfer reporter said: "I would like to believe that Genoa will not sell him for less than €15m. They will probably try to get DKK 180-225m (£20-25m), but that is probably set too high. He lacks the ability to score goals, and therefore I would think that €15m is a fair price for Frendrup."

"I am sure that Frendrup and Gudmundsson will be the two most sought-after players in the summer transfer window. There will be interest from the Premier League and major Italian clubs. They like Frendrup and the fact that he never misses a game. He delivers steadily and well every single time. This is the kind of player any coach would like to have on his team."

Liverpool make 'strong moves' for Swedish starlet

Liverpool are among the leading clubs keeping tabs on BK Häcken's rising star Momodou Sonko.

The 18-year-old winger has been making waves since his debut with the Swedish club's first team in 2022, amassing an impressive record of 14 goals and eight assists from 44 games.

During this time, Sonko's performances and potential have not gone unnoticed, attracting interest from several European clubs.

According to Fotboll Direkt, Liverpool – as well as Bologna and RB Leipzig – are actively pursuing the talented youngster, with all three clubs making "strong moves" to secure his signature.

It is even claimed that officials from these clubs have even held "secret meetings" with Häcken representatives to discuss the prospect of signing Sonko, with the Swedish club looking for around €7m.

Sonko himself recently admitted he is aware of the interest in his talent, while he has friends pushing him towards an Anfield switch.

Could the Reds reignite interest in former target Levi Colwill?

Liverpool could 'test Chelsea's resolve' by rekindling their interest in Levi Colwill, amid the Blues' financial concerns.

Mauricio Pochettino's side are reportedly considering selling home-grown talent in order to free up funds in compliance with Profitability and Sustainability Rules, with Conor Gallagher seemingly the most likely to be transferred.

However, according to HITC, Colwill could be another player Chelsea consider offloading this summer, with interest in the England international expected.

Liverpool have reportedly 'maintained a watching brief' on Colwill's situation and would be interested in a deal if Chelsea were ready to cash in.

Anfield Watch reported on the Reds' interest in the former Brighton star last summer, before he signed a long-term contract extension until 2029 at Stamford Bridge.

Four clubs in the mix for Caoimhin Kelleher move

Celtic are among the clubs interested in Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

In addition to his nine cup appearances, the Ireland international has featured in two Premier League games in 2023/24, filling in for the injured Alisson in early December.

While there has been regular speculation about the 25-year-old leaving Anfield for first-team football, Jurgen Klopp has previously stated it would take an 'extraordinary offer' to sell the keeper whose contract runs until 2026.

According to the Daily Mail, Klopp's comments have not completely deterred potential Kelleher suitors, with Celtic among the clubs interested in a summer deal.

The report claims that the Liverpool No. 62 has been 'touted' as long-term replacement for Joe Hart, whose contract runs out at the end of the current season.

The Bhoys are not the only club in the running, with as many as three Premier League clubs all sending scouts to watch the Cork-born keeper this campaign. The trio are not named, but it is added that Brentford, Brighton and Wolves all held previous interest in Kelleher.

One in, one out for Liverpool loans

Back in the real world of actual confirmed transfer business, Billy Koumetio has returned to Liverpool from his loan spell at USL Dunkerque.

The 21-year-old centre back had struggled for game time at the Ligue 2 and has now had his season-long switch ended early, as confirmed by the Reds' official website.

Meanwhile, fellow defender Rhys Williams has been sent out on loan to League One side Port Vale for the rest of 2023/24.

The 22-year-old started the season at Aberdeen but was recalled earlier this month.