Liverpool transfer news: Christian Pulisic, Ousmane Dembele, Fabinho, Marco Asensio

Reds battle Chelsea for midfielder, take on Arsenal for winger and fight Everton for rising star

Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic is a transfer target for a number of Premier League clubs
Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic has joined Chelsea for £58m
(Image credit: Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Pulisic deal a step closer

Liverpool and Chelsea are competing for the signature of long-term target Christian Pulisic.

The in-demand 20-year-old has been linked with a move to the Premier League for years despite his tender age. Now his club, Borussia Dortmund, are ready to do business for £70m, reports the Daily Telegraph.

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But even if a deal is struck in the new year Liverpool would have to wait until the summer to get their hands on the player – just as they did with Naby Keita last season.

“Chelsea and Liverpool, along with Paris Saint-Germain, have a long-standing interest in United States international Pulisic, whose contract is due to expire in 2020,” says the Telegraph.

“Dortmund are adamant the forward will not leave in January, but are prepared to negotiate a transfer for the summer if they receive a big enough bid.”

Dembele to quit Barcelona

The Ousmane Dembele saga has taken another twist, according to the Daily Express, which claims the unsettled Barcelona striker has asked to leave the club in January.

The paper says Liverpool have been linked with an £85m move for the 21-year-old French forward, whose attitude has been questioned by both club and country.

But Arsenal are also understood to be in the market for a winger. The club could also join the hunt if Barcelona do decide to sell.

PSG keen on Fabinho

Liverpool’s match against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday could be significant for midfielder Fabinho, who has failed to make an impact at Anfield and is wanted by the French champions.

According to Metro, PSG see Fabinho as “an ideal fit despite his struggles at Anfield, and could use Wednesday’s Champions League encounter as an opportunity to discuss a potential deal”.

“PSG are preparing to move in January, and are hoping to secure an initial loan deal with a mandatory option to buy,” says the paper. “If that mandatory option recoups the full £43.7m Liverpool paid just a few months ago, the Merseysiders could be convinced to sell.

Everton join Ndombele hunt

Man City’s Champions League encounter with Lyon will be keenly watched on Merseyside, with both Everton and Liverpool eyeing a move for “rising French star” Tanguy Ndombele, reports the Daily Mirror.

The 21-year-old has made waves this season and is also being monitored by tonight’s opponents City as well as Arsenal.

If Lyon do sell, the player, who has been likened to Ngolo Kante, could fetch up to £40m.

Did Reds bid £160m for Asensio?

Liverpool have spent big money under Jurgen Klopp, but the Daily Express carries news of a mega deal that dwarfs all Anfield’s other business over the summer.

The paper wants Reds fans to believe that Real Madrid turned down an eyewatering offer of £160m from Anfield for Marco Asensio earlier this year.

The paper, rehashing reports from Spain, claims Klopp remains “desperate to snare Asensio”, who is regarded as “one of La Liga’s hottest talents”.

The 22-year-old has more than 100 appearances for Real under his belt but has been criticised for his “lackadaisical” style.

Galatasaray plan double swoop

Not content with eyeing Divock Origi, Galatasaray are now preparing a move for another Liverpool fringe player in January, claims the Daily Mirror.

It says the Turkish giants will lodge an offer for Dominic Solanke in January.

The England Under-21 striker has been tipped to go out on loan for the second part of the season and has been linked with Rangers, now managed by Steven Gerrard. But reports in Turkey suggest talks are underway over a possible deal with Galatasaray.