Liverpool interest in £38m France star expected to step up in January if one thing happens

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Liverpool have a lot of decisions to make over the next few months.

A few members of their first-team squad are set to have their contracts expire, with none looking anywhere close to extending their stays.

They also have to think carefully about whether or not they’ll need to bolster their defensive ranks in January after the injury to Giovanni Leoni.

Ibrahima Konate’s form hasn’t been anything to write home about either, which means that Arne Slot has some choices to make.

There are a few players who Liverpool have been linked with this season, even after their £400million+ summer spending.

So, with this in mind, it’s hardly a surprise to see rumours about their future transfer targets already emerging.

Liverpool will show more interest in Dayot Upamecano if no agreement is reached between him and Bayern Munich in January

Much like Konate, Dayot Upamecano’s contract is set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season.

Of course, Marc Guehi is another centre-back who’s set to be on the free agent market, so plenty of choices will have to be made.

Both have been heavily linked with an Anfield switch, with nobody knowing which way Slot and Richard Hughes will actually end up going.

And now, while talking to TEAMtalk, journalist Dean Jones has shared what needs to happen for Liverpool to start showing more interest in Upamecano.

“If there is no agreement on a Bayern deal by the New Year, then Liverpool are expected to more formally show their interest in the player,” he said.

“They would need to move quickly because they are not the only club with eyes on him, Real Madrid also have half an eye on him at the moment.

“These three clubs are very much looking to sort out a similar problem for next season, so the same names keep circulating between them.

“A lot of the situation will be led by Liverpool’s own need for a new centre-back, with no new deal for Konate sorted yet.

“It remains the case that Madrid very much want him as part of their project that sees them targeting top players as their contracts wind down.

“Madrid seem convinced that Konate is interested – the stories surrounding them are not just speculation.

“I’m not sure how much Liverpool fans would care about Konate leaving if they can land one of their top targets.”

Dayot Upamecano would be a stellar signing for Liverpool

If there’s one thing that has been made clear about Slot’s current crop of players, it’s that they need some more defensive reinforcement.

The Reds may still be sitting in second in the Premier League table, but one of their main problems thus far has been the lack of form from their back line.

Players such as Konate and Milos Kerkez have been shadows of their former selves, with their teammates often having to fix the mistakes they’ve made.

In fact, one of Konate’s mistakes against Galatasaray this season even led to Alisson getting injured for an extended period of time.

Not only does this show why Upamecano would be a welcome addition to the Reds’ team, but it also shows where Liverpool need to improve if they wish to retain their Premier League title.

Indeed, they do have several options on the market, so they must be certain about the choice they make, but, on the face of things, it feels like it’ll be difficult for them to find a better option than £38million man, Upamecano.

That is, especially since he’ll be available for nothing at the end of the season.