Liverpool are reportedly in talks to secure the signing of Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich, according to German journalist Tobi Altschaffl.

Kimmich, who joined Bayern from VfB Stuttgart in 2015, has cemented his place as one of the world’s top midfielders, playing a pivotal role in helping the German giants win every major trophy over the past decade. He has also been a key figure for the German national team.

However, with his current contract at Bayern set to expire at the end of the season, speculation about his future has intensified in recent months.

Altschaffl, writing on X, revealed that Liverpool are exploring the possibility of signing Kimmich and may soon take concrete action to capitalize on his contract situation. While Manchester City have also shown interest, they reportedly prefer younger midfield options and are not prioritizing the 29-year-old.

For now, Kimmich is said to be taking his time before deciding his next move, and the most likely outcome remains an extension of his stay at Bayern Munich.

Liverpool’s midfield rebuild has been a work in progress. After missing out on several high-profile targets last summer, the club signed Wataru Endo to strengthen the holding midfield position. Although Endo played regularly under Jürgen Klopp, he has struggled to secure game time under new manager Arne Slot.

Instead, Ryan Gravenberch has been deployed as the No. 6 in most matches this season. Slot had initially aimed to sign Martin Zubimendi last summer as his preferred defensive midfield option, but the Spaniard chose to stay at Real Sociedad.

Kimmich, with his elite experience and technical abilities, would be a perfect fit for Slot’s possession-based system. His arrival could add much-needed quality and depth to Liverpool’s midfield.

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will make a formal offer for Kimmich. If they succeed, the deal could be a game-changer for the Merseyside club.

Meanwhile, after securing a Champions League round-of-16 spot with a win over LOSC Lille, Slot’s Liverpool side is set to face Ipswich Town in their next Premier League fixture.

Liverpool get triple Champions League advantage that could take them to the final

Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Lille on Tuesday night maintained Arne Slot’s side’s perfect record in this season’s revamped Champions League group stage. A deflected goal from Harvey Elliott sealed the win at Anfield, securing Liverpool’s place in the round of 16 with a game to spare and allowing them to bypass next month’s play-off round.

The result also guaranteed Liverpool a top-two finish in their group. However, a dramatic last-minute winner from Barcelona in their astonishing 5-4 comeback against Benfica kept the Reds from clinching top spot with one match remaining.

Despite Barcelona’s thrilling fightback, Slot seemed unfazed, with his attention firmly fixed on avoiding a slip below eighth place and the additional fixtures that would come with it.

“For me the most important thing tonight is we have been able to skip a round. That is definitely worth a bit.”

Regardless of whether Liverpool finish first or second in their group, Arne Slot’s side have gained a significant triple advantage for the remainder of their Champions League campaign.

Few teams embrace knockout football and the magic of their home ground like Liverpool. Anfield’s legendary atmosphere and the memories of iconic European nights are woven into the club’s fabric. Now, that aura becomes an asset for Slot as he guides his team toward European glory in his debut season.

Liverpool’s place among the top two seeds in the last 16 gives them a theoretical edge, offering a potentially easier opponent in the first knockout round. More importantly, it guarantees home advantage for the second leg in every knockout stage match—a crucial factor given Anfield’s unmatched influence during decisive moments.

Additionally, their top-seed status ensures they won’t face Barcelona until the final, should both teams progress that far. This seeding also raises strategic considerations: with this year’s final taking place at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, there’s an argument for encountering Bayern earlier in the competition. Facing them in a two-legged tie, including one match at Anfield, could be preferable to a final showdown on their home turf.

For now, the full scope of Liverpool’s path will become clear once the Champions League standings are finalized next week, confirming all 24 teams advancing to the knockout stages.

Fulham may be on the verge of offering another struggling Premier League player a shot at redemption, as reports suggest the club is set to meet with the agent of a defender for whom they’ve already submitted a proposal this month.

Craven Cottage has increasingly become a haven for players seeking to revive their careers. It’s where Andreas Pereira found his form after falling short at Manchester United, where Alexander Iwobi is thriving like never before, and where Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez are rediscovering their spark following a difficult spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

These individual turnarounds have helped Fulham become a formidable top-half side under Marco Silva. Currently sitting 10th in the Premier League and vying for a spot in the Europa League or Europa Conference League, the Cottagers could use the January transfer window to bolster their squad further and close the gap on their rivals.

While Mainz 05 defender Anthony Caci has been linked with a move to West London, Fulham’s attention might first shift to another player in need of a fresh start.

According to Calciomercato, via Sport Witness, Fulham are now preparing to meet with the agent of Emerson Royal, having already made an initial proposal to sign the AC Milan right-back.

Fulham’s offer is reportedly structured more attractively than Galatasaray’s, despite being lower than the Turkish club’s €2m (£2m) loan fee and €13m (£11m) summer purchase option.

Emerson’s availability stems from Kyle Walker’s rumored transfer to AC Milan from Manchester City, which has rendered the Brazilian surplus to requirements at the San Siro. What Milan considers expendable, Fulham could see as an opportunity to turn a struggling player into a valuable asset.

Emerson, who endured a challenging spell at Tottenham Hotspur, often found himself in the spotlight for disappointing performances. However, Fulham could provide the platform for the right-back to rewrite his narrative. If he joins the Cottagers, Emerson might not only revive his career but also deliver a measure of revenge against his former club in London, achieving the Premier League redemption he so desperately needs.

Royal was praised even after his struggles ended in a move to Milan, with Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou telling reporters as relayed by One Football: “Yeah, Emi super guy, great pro again. It is one of those decisions you have to make when you are trying to change squads. Really popular amongst the group and not just because he is a great guy,

“He didn’t play a lot last year in his preferred position, but you wouldn’t know it the way he trained every day. He is the hardest worker at training and really top guy. He is a guy you would want to spend time with. A big heart, loved by all and I think it is a fantastic move for him.”

Arsenal’s pursuit of a new striker has become increasingly apparent this season.

Despite having a strong squad when all players are fit, the Gunners are missing a reliable, high-scoring forward to spearhead their attack.

Kai Havertz has performed reasonably well, netting 14 goals across all competitions so far. However, Arsenal needs a striker capable of producing numbers comparable to the likes of Erling Haaland or Mohamed Salah.

In recent weeks, Mikel Arteta’s team has been linked with several forwards. Unfortunately, there’s disappointing news regarding one of their targets.

Dusan Vlahovic has been on Arsenal’s radar for years. The club initially targeted the Serbian during his time at Fiorentina, where he was Arteta’s priority signing. However, Juventus swooped in and secured him for around £66 million, according to Sky Sports.

Earlier in January, TBR Football reported that Vlahovic was still on Arsenal’s shortlist alongside Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko, Victor Osimhen, and Viktor Gyokeres.

According to Football Transfers, Arsenal held discussions with Juventus about signing the 24-year-old striker, but those talks have now collapsed.

Juventus reportedly insisted on a cash-only deal for Vlahovic during negotiations, making it unlikely he’ll move to the Emirates before the January transfer window closes.

Despite this setback, TBR Football previously indicated that Juventus remain open to selling Vlahovic before the window shuts on February 3rd.

Vlahovic would have been a significant improvement over Arsenal’s current attacking options, but this transfer now seems improbable.

Football Transfers further suggests that Wolves forward Matheus Cunha is the most likely striker Arsenal could sign this month. Cunha, who is enjoying an impressive season, is reportedly interested in joining the Gunners and has declined a new contract with Wolves.

However, a substantial valuation gap exists between the two clubs. Arsenal is willing to offer up to £45 million for Cunha, but Wolves are demanding over £70 million, complicating the deal.