Liverpool handed Marc Guehi transfer update as Arne Slot makes U-turn after target decision

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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballMarc GuehiLiverpool will have the chance to strengthen their squad in January after a topsy turvy first half of the season for Arne Slot.Liverpool's defence of their Premier League title has not exactly gone to plan, with the Reds currently trailing league leaders Arsenal by 10 points heading into the festive fixtures.A dismal run of results, which saw them lose nine games out of 12 across all competitions, was the club's worst form in over 70 years. However, under-fire Arne Slot has now managed to steady the ship and return his team to winning ways.The recent victory over Tottenham moved the Reds back up to fifth in the table, outside the Champions League qualification places on goal difference alone, but the win came at a cost.READ MORE: How to watch Mohamed Salah on TV for free on Boxing Day as Egypt play in AFCONREAD MORE: Virgil van Dijk admits Liverpool stars are still coming to terms with Diogo Jota deathAlexander Isak suffered a broken leg following a heavy challenge from Micky van de Ven while scoring Liverpool's opening goal and the Premier League's record signing is now facing a lengthy spell on the side-lines.

And. with Mohamad Salah now on AFCON duty and Cody Gakpo yet to return to first action with an injury of his own, Slot is light on up-front options.It's a similar story at the other end of the pitch, with summer signing centre-back Geovanni Leoni ruled out for the season and continued question marks over the fitness of Joe Gomez and Connor Bradley. Stretched resources could fort Slot to make an unscheduled dip into the transfer market in January and there are a couple of updates on big names that have already been linked with a move to Anfield.The first concerns long-term defensive target Marc Guehi, who came close to signing for Liverpool on summer transfer Deadline Day only for the deal to collapse at the 11th hour.

The England international remained at Crystal Palace but is out of contract at the end of the season.Although the Reds could theoretically snap him up for free next summer, Guehi is free to talk to overseas clubs from next month, bringing the threat of one of Europe's top clubs beating Slot to it. The list of possible suitors includes European giants Barcelona; however, the latest report from Spain suggests that a prospective move to Catalonia may have gone cold.According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have met with the agents of Crystal Palace and England star, but have cooled their interest in signing the 25-year-old because of the finances involved.At the other end of the pitch, Liverpool's links with AFC Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo look dead in the water, with the highly-rated Ghana international - who was seen by some as a possible long-term replacement for Salah - seemingly preferring a move to Manchester City.But as a result, according to CaughtOffside, the Reds have now turned their interest to 23-year-old PSG and France winger Bradley Barcola.Liverpool have one more Premier League match to fulfil at home to Wolves on Saturday, December 27, before the January transfer window opens for business on New Year's Day.