Liverpool transfer round-up: Wijnaldum contract latest as new centre-back linked

Jurgen Klopp played down Liverpool's chances of signing a centre-back in the January transfer window earlier this week, despite his side's defensive injury crisis.

Nonetheless, the links keep coming and a Strasbourg youngster is the latest player touted to move to Anfield, though AC Milan and RB Leipzig are also interested in the 20-year-old.

Meanwhile, Gini Wijnaldum's contract saga continues to unfold as the Dutchman weighs up his future ahead of his deal's expiry this summer.

So far, it appears little progress has been made in convincing him to sign an extension with the Reds, and the latest reports from Spain will come as a boost to long-term suitors Barcelona.

All that and more in Saturday's Liverpool transfer round-up.

Wijnaldum latest

Gini Wijnaldum is "continuing to think about" a move to Barcelona, according to reports from Spain.

The midfielder has entered the final six months of his deal with Liverpool and talks over an extension are believed to have stalled.

Earlier this week, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp confirmed there was no update on Wijnaldum's situation, leading to further speculation the player may end up leaving Anfield.

Barcelona have consistently been linked with the 30-year-old and manager Ronald Koeman is especially keen on his fellow Dutchman.

And Mundo Deportivo claims Wijnaldum is still weighing up a move to Camp Nou as he aims to resolve his future by the end of the window.

Simakan the latest centre-back linked

Jurgen Klopp may have admitted Liverpool are unlikely to move for a centre-back, but reports from France claim the Reds are closely monitoring Strasbourg star Mohamed Simakan.

The 20-year-old is highly rated and has featured in all 18 of the club's Ligue 1 games this season, while he also capped at youth level for France.

AC Milan and RB Leipzig are leading the race for Simakan, according to  Telefoot  , but Liverpool are also "keeping abreast" of the situation.

£40m war chest claim

A football finance expert claims Liverpool have a sizeable sum ready to invest in a centre-back - but insists Jurgen Klopp will only make his move when the time is right.

Kieran Maguire told  Football Insider  : “The thing is, a £40million signing isn’t £40m upfront because the way that all deals are negotiated these days is that you will pay the figure over three of four years.

“So from a cash flow point of view, they have the resources. They spent moderately last summer so there is something in the tank should they need to dip into the market.

“Their concern is what happens if you sign, say, Ben White for £30m or £40m and then [Virgil] Van Dijk and [Joe] Gomez come back? How is that going to work with three players fighting over two positions?

“So I think they might take the view of keeping their powder dry until the summer and then assess things there. It’s not a case of not being able to pay, but I think they want to assess their options and it will take them a longer amount of time to do so.”