Liverpool are once again looking at the Premier League market for reinforcements.
The Reds came very close to landing Marc Guehi in the summer, and even agreed on terms with both the player and Crystal Palace.
But the London club walked away at the last moment, leaving Liverpool frustrated and searching for solutions.
That setback has not changed the club’s plans. Guehi remains a target for January, especially with questions hanging over Ibrahima Konaté’s future.
Arne Slot knows he needs defensive cover, but the focus has also shifted higher up the pitch.
Liverpool’s recruitment team are scanning the league for midfield profiles that can raise the level of competition.
The club already boast depth in the middle, with Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch central to Slot’s system.
Yet there is still a sense that the next phase of the rebuild requires one more technical midfielder.
Someone who can dictate games, play between the lines, and give Liverpool an edge in possession.
And this is where the race gets intense. Chelsea and Manchester United have been circling for months.
Newcastle United have now joined the chase too. Each of these clubs views Adam Wharton as a long-term piece to build around.
Reports from TEAMtalk even suggest that Palace have already turned down an approach, holding firm on a valuation close to £60m for Wharton.
Signed from Blackburn Rovers for £18m just over a year ago, his rise has been remarkable.
At only 21, he plays with the calmness of a seasoned professional.
With Wataru Endo nearing the end of his spell at Anfield, Wharton could provide immediate quality and long-term stability.
The question now is whether Liverpool can outbid their rivals. But if Guehi eventually heads north to Anfield, Wharton might find it hard to turn down the same path.
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