The Reds had wanted to sign a midfielder but after the collapse in talks with Martín Zubimendi, they put the search on ice and brought in Federico Chiesa instead as a new attacking option. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will also join Liverpool at the end of the season.
Football Insider reported that the Reds will be on the market for a new holding midfielder in January but that’s not the only nugget of information the outlet has come out with since Deadline Day drew to a close. In fact, an eye-popping link has emerged that would probably be the move of the year if it was to come to fruition.
Liverpool’s interest in Anthony Gordon became one of the most speculated topics of the transfer window, as the football world discussed the idea of a former Everton star moving to Anfield. Gordon was reportedly set on his move to the red side of the city but his transfer from Newcastle United did not come to fruition.
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The Telegraph reported back in June that talks had collapsed between the two Premier League parties as Liverpool ‘rejected’ the chance to sign Gordon due to Newcastle requesting that Jarell Quansah be part of the deal. The move naturally did not materialise but a new direct link between Liverpool and Everton has trumped the interest in Gordon.
According to another Football Insider report, Arne Slot’s side have a ‘concrete’ interest in trying to sign Jarrad Branthwaite from their Merseyside rivals. The surprise link has come from Liverpool reportedly ‘making contact’ with the 22-year-old’s agent and the player himself is said to be ‘interested’ in making a potentially ‘explosive’ move across the city.
This isn’t the first case of Branthwaite attracting attention but it is certainly the most unexpected and head-turning. During the summer, Manchester United had been heavily linked with the the centre-back as they looked to bolster their backline. The Red Devils saw a £50 million bid rejected by Everton, who were not willing to let Branthwaite leave for anything less than their asking price.
United have since reportedly come back with an improved £60 million offer but it’s still a way off the reported £80 million that the Toffees are after. Since their failed approach, United have signed Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt. As Branthwaite’s contract runs until 2027, Everton are very much in the driver’s seat when it comes to negotiations. If the Liverpool interest is real, it’s quite likely they will be required to pay close to the reported £80 million if they want to try and do business with their opponents, which is something that hasn’t happened since 2002.
Over the years, only 30 players have made the direct switch between Liverpool and Everton, the last being way back in 2002 when Abel Xavier swapped out blue for red. For more than two decades, no one has bridged the divide between the rival clubs. Could that change once the 2025 windows open for business? It will certainly be a shock if Liverpool can agree a deal with Everton and it’s likely that if it does happen, no other move will come close.
Branthwaite would become the first direct move in more 20 years, but how likely is that to happen? It seems natural to say it would never happen but if the centre-back is indeed interested in Liverpool, the Reds can find the right price, and Everton are willing to welcome major cash from their rivals, who’s to stop one of the rarest deals in football from unfolding?
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