Liverpool make approach to sign £50m-rated star as Klopp looks to ease injury crisis

The January transfer window is open and managers are working hard on strengthening their squads and identifying targets for the summer so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest rumours. Today, Liverpool are linked with James Tarkowski…

Liverpool have made a surprise approach to sign James Tarkowski on an initial loan deal but Burnley will only consider selling on a permanent basis if £50m is put on the table, according to reports via the Metro.

Liverpool have enjoyed an excellent first half to the season as Jurgen Klopp’s side currently sit four points clear at the top of the Premier League table and have a bumper Champions League last-16 tie with Bayern Munich to look forward to.

However, their campaign is in danger of being derailed due to an injury crisis at the back with Virgil van Dijk the only available centre-back ahead of Saturday’s trip to Brighton with Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez all on the sidelines.

Lovren has been ruled out after picking up a hamstring injury during Liverpool’s shock FA Cup defeat at Wolves on Monday night while Matip is still recovering from a broken collarbone that he sustained last month.

Liverpool hope to have the duo available again soon but Gomez is still a few weeks away from returning to action after fracturing his leg against Burnley earlier in the season so Klopp will be forced to deploy midfielder Fabinho alongside van Dijk at Brighton on Saturday.

It could take Matip and Gomez some time to get back up to full speed after lengthy spells on the sidelines and the Metro are citing a report from the Sun that claims Liverpool are ready to dip in to the market to help boost their numbers in defence during the second half of the season.

The newspaper says Liverpool have already made an approach to sign Tarkowski on loan but have been told Burnley will only consider selling the centre-back if a whopping £50m is put on the table this month.

The 26-year-old has developed in to a fine defender since joining Burnley from Brentford in 2016 and he was called up to the England squad last year after helping the Clarets finish 7th in the Premier League during the 2017/18 campaign.

Tarkowski has continued to be a regular for Burnley this season but they’ve struggled to replicate the form they showed last year and it seems Liverpool were hoping to lure him to Anfield on a cheeky loan deal.

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Understandably, Burnley aren’t willing to let one of their key players leave on the cheap but there is no chance Liverpool will pay anywhere near £50m for Tarkowski so I think this is the last we’ll hear of this proposed move.