Liverpool transfer round-up: van Dijk move tipped for January, competition heats up for Werner and more - 12th September 2017

Liverpool could get van Dijk in January, claims McGarry

According to journalist Ian McGarry, Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk could end up at Liverpool in January. The Dutchman refused to play for the first-team and handed in a transfer request in order to force a move this summer.

However, Southampton ultimately held on to the player until the transfer window was shut, prompting many to believe that Liverpool will come back in for him in January.

In the Transfer Window Podcast, McGarry commented on the situation saying:

"Van Dijk, compared to his fellow rebels in the Premier League Alexis Sanchez and Philippe Coutinho, has one great advantage in that he’s not going to be cup tied for European football in the January window."

"Liverpool was his first choice. I spoke to a close friend of his and Van Dijk definitely believed his deal to Liverpool was all agreed in terms of his personal terms in terms of this transfer window that’s just closed."

McGarry concluded by saying that Southampton's takeover had a negative effect on the transfer as the Saints no longer needed the money. Thus, the saga continues with Liverpool expected to make another attempt in January, especially given their defensive woes.

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Real Madrid enter race to sign Timo Werner

Timo Werner is a wanted man across Europe

The Champions League holders have expressed interest to sign RB Leipzig's striker Timo Werner, as per Sport 1. The Golden Boot winner in the recently concluded Confederations Cup with Germany, Werner scored 21 goals in the previous season to help Leipzig finish a stunning second in the Bundesliga.

No wonder, several top clubs have shown interest with Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp, thought to be pretty keen on the 21-year old. However, Real Madrid also believe in Werner's potential and the Reds now need to compete with the La Liga champions for the striker's signature in the future.

It remains to be seen whether Leipzig will be willing to let go of another asset to Liverpool, having agreed to sell Naby Keita in 2018.

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Liverpool contacted Bayern Munich for Thomas Muller

Muller is no longer a guaranteed starter at Bayern Munich

According to SportsBild, Liverpool were one of the three teams to inquire about Thomas Muller in the summer. The Bayern Munich forward had a forgettable season and is no longer a fixed starter in Carlo Ancelotti's lineup.

However, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bayern's chief executive, cleared the air in July by saying:

"Thomas is still unsaleable because he fits perfectly with FC Bayern. There is no discussion about this."

"But Thomas as well as we are in agreement in the evaluation of the last season: It was not a good one. But that is not a problem either."

The arrival of James Rodriguez makes the situation more difficult for Muller and clubs including Liverpool could return back for him in the upcoming windows, with the German possibly weighing his options in Bavaria.