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.

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.

Manchester City is reportedly set to secure a third central defender this month at a significantly reduced cost, thanks to the structure of a contractual agreement.

The club’s Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain, alongside his transfer team at the Etihad Stadium, including new addition Hugo Viana, has been actively working on deals to shape the next generation of the squad.

Following years of exceptional success—highlighted by four consecutive Premier League titles and their first UEFA Champions League victory—Manchester City appears to be refreshing Pep Guardiola’s squad as he enters the final two years of his contract.

The revamp has begun with defensive reinforcements, as the club recently signed central defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis from RC Lens and Palmeiras, respectively.

However, reports suggest another central defender could join soon, with plans for a unique developmental approach for the young talent upon arrival.

Journalist Alan Nixon reports that Manchester City is close to finalizing a deal for highly-rated center-back Juma Bah from La Liga side Real Valladolid.

The fee for the Sierra Leonean defender is expected to be just £5 million—a significant reduction from his previous valuation of £12 million. The lower cost is attributed to Bah’s current status on a “youth player contract” at Valladolid.

The player’s representatives argue that this status allows for a low-cost transfer, with Manchester City paying a modest initial amount followed by compensation, totaling approximately £5 million.

Since these reports surfaced, a source close to Global Soccer Management, Bah’s representative agency, has provided insights into the ongoing negotiations, offering a clearer perspective on the current situation.

Speaking to Africa Foot, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, the source explained on the situation, “Manchester City’s interest in Bah is not new, as I already mentioned to you a few weeks ago.

“Inter Milan and Barcelona were also interested, but Barcelona’s offer was never formal. So, we had to think about what would be best for Bah.”

The source continued by issuing a significant update, “Yes, there is now an agreement with Manchester City, with a six-year contract and an amount of around €13 million which will be paid to Real Valladolid and his training club AIK Freetong.”

In a strongly-worded statement released on their official website on Wednesday, Real Valladolid revealed that Juma Bah and his agent had informed the club of their decision to unilaterally terminate his contract.

Manchester City, in response, formally requested that Valladolid enter negotiations for a permanent transfer. Meanwhile, the player has chosen not to attend training sessions.

The statement also noted that the Royal Spanish Football Federation confirmed Bah has made the payment required to terminate his contract unilaterally. Real Valladolid, however, asserted their intent to “pursue appropriate legal and sporting actions to protect their rights and interests.”

The situation remains uncertain, with further developments expected in the coming days.