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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Samuel Meade

Liverpool transfer round-up: Barcelona issue Ousmane Dembele ultimatum

Liverpool have exercised the January market effectively in the past and continue to be linked with new faces.

The likes of Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Virgil van Dijk have all moved to Anfield midseason and gone on to be major successes.

Attacking options are those most heavily linked with Mo Salah's contract saga continuing to run on, Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele among them.

Jurgen Klopp may also be forced to let some players go, with minutes being at a premium for some.

Individuals in defence are struggling to play regularly due to the amount of players currently on the books.

We take a look at the last transfer rumours coming out of Anfield as club's consider their midseason moves.

Have Your Say! Where do Liverpool most need to strengthen? Tell us in the comments here.

Nathaniel Phillips has struggled for minutes this term (Getty Images)

Phillips' exit blow

Nathaniel Phillips' hopes of a January exit have been dealt a blow.

The defender, who became a regular last term, has fallen some way down the pecking order.

Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez are all preferred options which could lead Phillips to seek an exit.

Napoli had been seen as a potential destination but their signing of Axel Tuanzebe appears to have closed that door.

Phillips' agent Colin Murdock told Area Napoli: "Napoli have taken Axel Tuanzebe, our former client, on loan, so I think they have finished their operations as regards the role of central defender.

"Therefore I don't think we need further comments on Nathaniel Phillips."

Dembele's final answer

Dembele has long been touted as a possible Liverpool target.

The French winger would provide more attacking options for Klopp and has recently turned down a new contract at Barcelona.

The Catalan club's sporting director Mateu Alemany has claimed the club are waiting for a final answer from Dembele with his deal close to expiring.

“There’s no meeting scheduled with Ousmane Dembele and his agent," he said. "They know our position and our decision.

“We can’t take it too long. We’re waiting for Ousmane Dembele final answer to our proposal”

Ousmane Dembele is out of contract this summer (NurPhoto/PA Images)

Danjuma a possibility

Villarreal's Arnaut Danjuma is being considered as a possible transfer target, according to the Express.

The Reds are considering adding to their forward options and the former Bournemouth man has continued to impress in Spain.

Liverpool though believe any move in January will prove tough to complete.

Sadio Mane and Salah have both jetted off to the Africa Cup of Nations but Klopp is unlikely to seek any short-term solutions and will instead trust those already at his disposal.

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