Liverpool continue to fight across multiple fronts as transfer season moves back within sight and one Jurgen Klopp-backed player emerges on the Reds' radar

Andoni Iraola is finding his feet as Liverpool manager following a tricky start to his Anfield career. The Reds are up to fifth in the Premier League after winning two of their last three top-flight fixtures and host an in-form Brighton side on Sunday.

Recent improvements from the likes of Bradley Barcola, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have settled nerves in particular. However, that doesn't mean the club's backroom staff haven't remained hard at work attempting to sign the club's next stars.

There's mixed news on the recruitment front ahead of the January transfer window, with Iraola less and less likely to see one reunion this winter. Mirror Football provides all the latest out of the rumour mill around Anfield.

Chelsea move ahead in Scott race

If Iraola was hoping to team up with Alex Scott at Liverpool, his chances appear to be deteriorating ahead of January. That's after Fabrizio Romano reported Chelsea have moved ahead of the Merseysiders in their efforts to land the Bournemouth star.

Scott has been tipped as a target for Liverpool as they turn their attention towards midfield. The middle of the park wasn't a priority for the club over the summer, though that looks likely to change come 2027.

According to Romano, Chelsea are in talks with Scott's entourage regarding a move to Stamford Bridge in the foreseeable future. TEAMtalk suggested Bournemouth would be willing to sell their playmaker for £100million after previously insisting he wasn't for sale.

That now looks to have changed after Scott turned down a contract offer to become the highest-paid player in the club's history. And with a little more than 18 months remaining on his current deal, Bournemouth are under pressure to find the right price sooner than later.

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Reds race giants for Jeltsch

One name Liverpool fans may soon get acquainted with is that of Stuttgart's Finn Jeltsch. The 20-year-old centre-back is also being lined up for a 2027 transfer, though the Reds face elite competition in the hunt for his signature.

Jeltsch, who joined Stuttgart from Nurnberg last year, has seen his stock skyrocket in recent times. After establishing himself as a Bundesliga force despite his young age, the youngster was rewarded with his first senior Germany call-up under Liverpool icon Jurgen Klopp.

Although he didn't earn his first cap during the last international break, it's a sign of the promise Klopp sees in the player. Bearing that in mind, it's little wonder the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus are reportedly tracking his situation.

Catalan newspaper Sport reported this week that Real and Liverpool are prepared to pay £42m for Jeltsch. That's a considerable mark-up on the £7m or so Stuttgart paid for his services in February 2025.

After signing countryman Karim Adeyemi this past summer, Hansi Flick is reportedly leading the charge for another German prospect at Barca. Liverpool have already recruited several young defenders in Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni to hopefully succeed Virgil van Dijk when he leaves Anfield.

That's expected to take place next summer when the Dutchman's contract expires, though it's possible he pens a short-term extension. Joe Gomez's deal is also due to run out next summer, increasing the need for fresh blood to emerge in that position.