Liverpool have 'absolute bargain' £20m January transfer opportunity as contract claims made
Liverpool have been opportunistic in the transfer market since Richard Hughes became their sporting director before the start of this season. At an introductory press conference in early July, he said, "With the window open, we'll always be opportunistic if we can."
Federico Chiesa then signed from Juventus for £10million after the Reds also agreed to pay £25million for Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. They also tried to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for the player's £51million release clause.
The latter move did not materialise, but Hughes was true to his word. The approach can now continue this winter.
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Rayan Cherki is reportedly available for under £20 million this year, a price several unnamed executives reportedly consider an "absolute bargain." Sky Germany claims that Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and several English clubs are showing interest in the situation amid Lyon's financial issues.
Links to Liverpool are longstanding, dating back to last year, while Chelsea are another team credited with an interest previously. Cherki has a £25million market value on transfermarkt, which suggests Lyon's asking price is below what the France under-21 international is worth and may appeal to Hughes.
Meanwhile, reports overseas claim the club's sporting director has already done one deal this month. Virgil van Dijk is said to have decided on his future and chosen to stay at Liverpool. According to Fichajes, a two-year contract extension will keep the club captain at Anfield until 2027.
Van Dijk is one of three Liverpool players in the last six months of his current deal, with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold being the other two. Both of those are the subject of significant transfer interest from Paris Saint-Germain (plus Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League) and Real Madrid, respectively, but there have been fewer links regarding Van Dijk.
