The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Davies linked with Reds switch
Liverpool’s efforts to bring in a centreback look set to be the main focus of attention on deadline day as a thus-far notably quiet transfer window draws to a close.
Ahead of the window shutting at 11pm tonight, the Reds have been pondering ways to address what has become an increasingly problematic situation with regard to Jurgen Klopp’s back line.
With Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez already sidelined, fellow central defender Joel Matip and first-choice back-up Fabinho recently joined the injured list.
The Merseyside club were last night not commenting on names being linked with late moves, but it was understood a £2 million fee has been agreed with Preston for defender Ben Davies, a rumoured target for Celtic.
A medical is scheduled for today, with 19-year-old Dutchman Sepp Van Den Berg likely to head the other way on loan for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if Dele Alli makes for a high-profile departure from the Premier League.
The England midfielder has been out of favour at Tottenham under Jose Mourinho.
And Paris St Germain, now managed by Mourinho’s predecessor at Spurs Mauricio Pochettino, have been pushing to sign Alli on loan for the rest of the season.
It appears that, aside from Liverpool with their potential recruiting of a defender, any late squad modification among the top flight’s ‘big six’ is likely to be players leaving.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been unwilling to discuss the future of defender Eric Garcia, who is in the last year of his contract and has been linked with a return to his boyhood club Barcelona.
Tim Bridge of Deloitte’s Sports Business Group told the PA news agency: “I think this month more than ever feels as if clubs are taking a bit of a watching brief and are not currently willing to spend in the way they previously have done.
“That’s a reflection of the fact that all clubs have suffered a huge revenue loss, everybody’s aware of that, and I think clubs are slowly trying to understand what that means for their business models.”
Among the eye-catching deals that have taken place this month are Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard joining West Ham on loan and Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard arriving at Arsenal on loan.