Liverpool transfer rumours and news: Shane Long linked with Anfield; Reds wary of Arsenal interest in Inaki Williams

All the latest transfer news and gossip to come from Anfield this weekend on Saturday 16 January

Southampton striker Shane Long is a reported transfer target for Liverpool (Getty Images)

Liverpool are reportedly contemplating making an offer for Southampton striker Shane Long. According to The Sun, Jurgen Klopp is expected to show his hand in the coming days after the Saints agreed a deal to sign Queens Park Rangers forward Charlie Austin. Danny Ings and Daniel Sturridge are fighting long-term, persistent injuries, leading the German to look elsewhere.

The report suggests an offer in the region of £8m would be enough to tempt Southampton into selling this month. Klopp said: “Buying players is not too easy. We don’t have too many striking options that is true. Probably, maybe or never. Then we have to make decisions about where we want to go.”

The Reds are growing increasingly alarmed by the Gunners’ interest in Athletic Bilbao ace Inaki Williams, the Daily Star speculate. Klopp is rumoured to be interested in taking the 21-year-old attacking midfielder, ranked the fastest player in La Liga, to Anfield. But Arsene Wenger is now said to also be keen on Williams.

The Spaniard currently has a £15m price-tag on his head but the report suggests Bilbao may ask for his full-release clause £76.3m to put off any prospective suitors. Williams has scored ten goals in 21 appearances this season and scored the only goal in a 1-0 Copa del Rey win over Valencia, managed by Gary Neville, last week.


 Southampton striker Shane Long celebrates
 (Getty Images)

Elsewhere Turkish side Besiktas are primed for an offer from Liverpool for defender Ismail Koybasi. The left-back, who has established himself this season, has just six-months remaining on his contract. Turkish Football report Klopp is joined by Valencia’s Neville in being a big fan and would be prepared to pay cash this month rather than waiting until the summer.

Koybasi, 26, is expected to represent his country at Euro 2016 and has 15 international caps to his name. With the Anfield side reportedly ‘keeping tabs’ on other targets, Jose Enrique’s time may be up.

Another player who could possibly leave Liverpool this month is Lawrence Vigouroux, currently on loan at Swindon Town. The 22-year-old has made 23 appearances while on loan with the League One outfit this season and chairman Lee Power wants to make it permanent. He said: “There has been a change (in management) there and there has been a change here with us, but we really like Lawrence.

“Power said of Liverpool’s fifth choice stopper.He’s a bit of a wildcard and he’s one of those. We discussed that internally, that you could sell Lawrence one day for a fortune. He reminds me a little bit of Bruce Grobbelaar and you don’t know what you are going to get with him.”