Liverpool Close to Ordonez Deal as Roma Circle Salah; Champions League Qualification Key to Move

Liverpool appear poised to land their January defensive reinforcement, with Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordonez described as being on the cusp of a move to Anfield. According to Ecuadorian newspaper Diario Expreso, the 'one signature away' stage has been reached on a deal valued around £43m, with contract terms reportedly worth approximately €5.95m annually already in place.

The Reds' lackluster New Year's Day showing against Leeds United underscores a season-long defensive fragility that has made recruitment a pressing concern, particularly given the club's substantial £400m summer outlay proved insufficient in addressing their shortcomings. Chelsea's decision to step aside in the Ordonez pursuit has cleared the path for Slot's side, though the deal remains unconfirmed by the usual authoritative voices in transfer journalism.

The defensive overhaul extends beyond Ordonez, with Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace continuing to feature prominently in Liverpool's thinking. A free transfer next summer appears the likeliest route to landing the England international, having eluded their grasp during the previous window.

Beyond the backline, Liverpool's winger situation demands urgent attention—a reality crystallised by the mounting uncertainty surrounding Salah's future. The Egyptian's campaign has stalled considerably under Slot, a sharp reversal from his status as the Premier League's standout performer last term. His December criticism of both club and manager—accusing them of "throwing me under the bus"—only intensified speculation about a potential departure.

Roma have begun positioning themselves for a summer swoop, with Italian media reporting the Serie A outfit are actively pursuing a homecoming scenario. The catch, however, is substantial: any deal hinges entirely on Roma securing Champions League qualification for next season. Without European football's elite competition on offer, the move appears unlikely to materialise.