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Liverpool FC now find themselves in a race against time to add a second new centre-back option before tonight’s transfer deadline, after closing on the imminent signing of Ben Davies from Preston North End yesterday. Reporter Fabrizo Romano reported that human-cyborg hybrid Sven Botman of Lille would unfortunately... not be making his way to Merseyside.
Sven Botman is *not* joining Liverpool today - he’s staying. No contacts/talks opened with Lille. #LFC are now set to announce Ben Davies as new signing after medicals completed. #DeadlineDay https://t.co/AbFtsOkbEe
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2021
When asked about Marseille's Duje Ćaleta-Car, he had a simple response:
not joining too
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2021
Reports from L’Equipe last night said that Liverpool had made an offer for the player, with the player keen enough that he was ready to fly to Manchester to then travel on to Liverpool. So if you’re a bit of an optimist, there’s this from France Football reporter Nabil Djellit, claiming the deal isn’t dead, but Marseille is looking at bringing in a replacement before selling DCC.
Radonjic au Herta Berlin en prêt... Pas totalement mort pour Caleta Car à Liverpool, ça négocie toujours. Encore faut-il trouver un remplaçant... Des profils sont proposés à Longoria. #OM #Mercato
— Nabil Djellit (@Nabil_djellit) February 1, 2021
UPDATE: David Lynch of The Mirror agrees that there’s still a chance this transfer happens.
#LFC still pushing to sign Duje Caleta-Car from Marseille today, move could go to the wire. Ben Davies having his medical this morning ahead of move from Preston for an initial £500k with £1.1m in add-ons.
— David Lynch (@dmlynch) February 1, 2021
UPDATE: Sky Germany reporter Max Bielefeld reports on a familiar face/name.
Sky sources: Liverpool is trying to get a deal done for Ozan Kabak until the deadline. Talks ongoing about a loan plus option to buy. But: @S04 need a replacement and deadline in Germany is at 5pm UK time. Will be difficult to get it done #DeadlineDay @Sky_Marc @Sky_Dirk pic.twitter.com/P03mCBt7Jb
— Max Bielefeld (@Sky_MaxB) February 1, 2021
UPDATE: Looks like the deal for DCC is a no-go. Club moving for Kazan now.
He will end the season with OM. OM refused 23 million euros from Liverpool. no departure https://t.co/G03jxmtvqx
— Mohamed Bouhafsi (@mohamedbouhafsi) February 1, 2021
UPDATE: Kazan down to the wire! Mustafi looks to be Schalke’s replacement.
Schalke won't let Ozan Kabak go to Liverpool unless they find a replacement. Arsenal's Shkodran Mustafi could be that replacement. #S04 #LFC #AFC #transfers
— Constantin Eckner (@cc_eckner) February 1, 2021
There’s little more than half a day for that to happen, so fingers crossed. Would you be satisfied if Liverpool’s only signing was Ben Davies? Or would you prefer we turn to a short-term stopgap, perhaps someone like Shkrodan Mustafi?