Monday's Liverpool transfer talk news roundup: Dayot Upamecano, Kostas Tsimikas, Jamal Musiala

The January transfer window is now open, with Liverpool continuing to be linked with a host of big names.

Jurgen Klopp has been forced to contend with a crippling injury crisis during the first half of the season, leading to speculation that the Premier League champions could move for a new defender this month.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news on possible comings and goings from Anfield.

Monday morning's Liverpool transfer talk news roundup:

Manchester United, Liverpool 'to go head to head for Dayot Upamecano'

© Reuters

Manchester United and Liverpool will reportedly go head to head for the signature of RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano.

The 22-year-old is unlikely to be allowed to leave his German club this month, but there will be a €42m (£37.3m) release clause in play in the France international's contract during this summer's transfer window.

A number of clubs, including Chelsea and Bayern Munich, are said to be interested in signing the defender, who has featured on 137 occasions for Leipzig in all competitions since arriving from Red Bull Salzburg.

However, according to The Mirror, United will go head to head with bitter rivals Liverpool for Upamecano's signature later in 2021.

The report claims that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side want to find a long-term partner for club captain Harry Maguire and view the France international as the ideal acquisition.

Liverpool, meanwhile, allegedly regard Upamecano as the perfect player to operate alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of their defence moving forward.

The former Valenciennes youngster has scored once and provided one assist in 24 appearances for his Bundesliga side during the 2020-21 campaign.

Liverpool 'turn down two bids for Kostas Tsimikas'

© Liverpool FC

Liverpool have reportedly rejected bids from Olympiacos and Panathinaikos for left-back Kostas Tsimikas.

The Greece international has made just four appearances in all competitions, none of those in the Premier League, since joining the Reds from Olympiacos for £11m last year.

Due to his lack of playing time at Anfield, TEAMtalk reports that Panathinaikos and former side Olympiacos have attempted to bring the defender back to Greece.

However, it is claimed that Liverpool rebuffed the approaches as they feel that Tsimikas still has a part to play at Anfield over the longer term.

Liverpool have so far been quiet in the January transfer window, with no first-team players arriving or departing this month.

More transfer news from Liverpool:

Liverpool, Manchester United 'suffer blow in Jamal Musiala pursuit'
A report claims that Jamal Musiala looks set to sign a new deal with Bayern Munich in a possible transfer blow to Liverpool and Manchester United. Read more.