Liverpool put transfer ‘proposal on the table’ and make ‘serious’ approach for midfielder

Liverpool haven't exactly taken the January transfer window by storm thus far, it must be said, with no fresh faces arriving at Anfield.

However, there's no real pressure on the Reds to go out and splash the cash on overpriced new signings, with their existing crop of talent more than capable of challenging for honours this season.

Indeed, Jurgen Klopp’s side booked their place in the Carabao Cup Final with a 2-0 second-leg win (2-0 agg.) over Arsenal last night, and still have a chance of winning both the FA Cup and Champions League, as well as the Premier League.

This hasn't stopped the Reds being linked with a host of new players, however, the latest being PSG midfielder Ismael Gharbi.

On top of that, Liverpool are also said to hold a keen interest in Borussia Monchengladbach’s defensive midfielder Denis Zakaria.

What's the story?

French football journalist Fabrice Hawkins states that Liverpool are looking to bring in Gharbi, who is said to be disillusioned with the lack of playing time offered by the Ligue 1 giants, after making just three appearances in all competitions so far this season.

While the information is far from in-depth, Hawkins suggests that Liverpool have put a “proposal on the table”, although the club are unlikely to be alone in their pursuit of the 17-year-old.

Indeed, the same journalist reported earlier this month that Chelsea were chasing the talented youngster.

It is important to note that is has been stressed that the player's desire is to remain on the books at his boyhood club, but will continue to consider his future carefully amid the aforementioned lack of first team football.

Meanwhile, the Denis Zakaria transfer saga is still alive and kicking, as elite clubs across Europe scramble to sign the in-demand player whose contract expires this summer.

According to ESPN, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are the three clubs to have made "the most serious" enquiries regarding the Swiss sensation, while the interest of Manchester United and Juventus remains largely peripheral.

Zakaria looks highly likely to leave his club this month, as they look to secure a fee - mostly likely less than £8m - for their player and avoid him leaving for nothing upon the expiry of his contract.

How likely are Liverpool to sign the players?

Ghabri's 'wonderkid' tag means there will be plenty of competition to secure his services, and it would be fair to suggest that PSG will be keen to hang on to a promising homegrown talent - a precious commodity in the tricky FFP landscape clubs now operate in.

The added pressure from Chelsea is another stumbling block Liverpool would have to overcome, and they are unlikely to be drawn into a bidding war for a relatively raw, unproven talent.

Zakaria could turn out to be a bargain signing, and ESPN's report of Liverpool's "serious" enquiry is encouraging. The Reds' requirement to sign a new midfielder or two is plain to see, and the 25-year-old's versatility - a trait beloved by Klopp - could make him a fine fit for the squad.

That said, the player could well opt to remain in the German top tier, with both Dortmund and Bayern offering highly alluring options.