Liverpool will return to European action in midweek but transfer talk is also on the table as we edge towards the January window

Liverpool might have been busy in the summer transfer market but that hasn't stopped transfer talk continuing outside the window.

That's despite the Reds having a busy programme on the pitch, with Villarreal their next opponents on Tuesday night. Andoni Iraola led his team to two wins from their first two matches in Europe, with Bradley Barcola scoring his first goals for the club in a 6-3 win at LASK last time out.

However, Barcola's teammate Florian Wirtz has been the subject of transfer speculation after failing to repeat his Bayer Leverkusen brilliance at Anfield. There is plenty of time between now and January for Wirtz to put in a consistent run of form.

In the meantime, though, Bayern Munich have been mentioned in connection with the German international, prompting their president to speak out. We've also got news on another of the attacking stars linked with Liverpool in the recent past.

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Bayern chief feels sorry for Wirtz

Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer has acknowledged his sympathy for Florian Wirtz given the German international's difficulties at Liverpool. We shouldn't expect a January bid from the Bavarians, though, despite their interest in the past, as Hainer made the Bundesliga outfit's stance clear.

"First of all, I think Florian Wirtz is an outstanding player, there's absolutely no question about that," Hainer said, per SportBild. "I almost feel a little sorry for him that he hasn't yet reached the same form in England that he had at Leverkusen, because we also need him for the German national team."

Bayern have plenty of attacking depth and goals throughout the squad, as shown by the fact that they scored their 30th goal of the season in mid-October. "We have such a top-class squad, we're incredibly happy at the moment, and therefore it's not an issue for us," Hainer added.

Williams' agent outlines Liverpool rejection

Nico Williams' representative Felix Tainta has confirmed Liverpool were amongst a host of elite clubs vying for the Athletic Bilbao forward following his displays during Spain's Euro 2024 triumph. The winger committed to a long-term contract in 2025, however, and Tainta has shed more light on his decision to turn down a number of potential suitors.

"We all know about Barca's interest in the summer of '24, following the European Championship," Tainta told the Los Fulanos podcast. "Barca, Arsenal, Bayern, Liverpool, PSG... I could name them all. Everyone wanted Nico, and it's no small feat for a player to say 'no' to all these clubs."

Williams also turned down Barca in 2025, instead prioritising regular football which would boost his chances of a World Cup spot. "We decided that, without certain guarantees, we couldn't risk Nico ending up somewhere where he wouldn't play, especially with a World Cup on the horizon," the agent added. "And even setting the World Cup aside, he is a professional player who needs to be able to practice his profession and play."