Liverpool set January transfer aim, Everton missed out on Man Utd star they had 'prepared higher salary' for

After another chaotic and unpredictable summer, the transfer window has now closed until the new year. Premier League clubs got stuck into the action as they buckle in for an entertaining 2024/25 season.

As we enjoy another weekend of top flight fixtures, we’ve taken a look at the fallout from the final hours of the summer window, including what could be in store for January.

Liverpool set January transfer mission

It took Liverpool a long time to secure their first signing of 2024 as they played out a rather quiet transfer window. Despite many changes tipped to unfold at Anfield following Jurgen Klopp’s departure, the Reds look almost entirely intact.

Signing a new defensive midfielder had been Liverpool’s main priority this window but no links came to fruition. The trail has not gone cold though, as Football Insider has reported that the Reds will look to bring in a new No.6 in January. They are willing to assess the options that present themselves in the new year but Slot is eager to bring in someone new to bolster his current engine room.

The 3AM Verdict: After the Martín Zubimendi deal collapsed, almost all midfield links went cold for Liverpool so it will be a good show of intent for the club to revisit their pursuit in the new year. Wataru Endō was brought in last year as a stopgap signing to replace Fabinho and Slot has been opting for other options ahead of the Japanese international. So, signing someone to compete for the No.6 role in January will be a smart bit of business for Liverpool, especially as they approach what could be a very significant summer of 2025, with multiple key players linked to exits this time round that didn’t materialise still on the books.

Everton were prepared to offer Man United star ‘higher salary’

Everton were able to get a bunch of new signings over the line during the summer transfer window, including Deadline Day swoops for Armando Broja and Orel Mangala, who both join Sean Dyche’s ranks on loan for the 2024/25 season.

However, there was another player who the Toffees were keen on signing but a move failed to materialise. According to The Athletic, Scott McTominay had been on Everton’s radar but their tough financial situation meant they could not afford to meet the asking price. The Blues had been considering offering up Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a sweetener to bring down the price and were prepared to offer McTominay a ‘higher salary’ than his rate at United.

In the end, the Scotland international was ‘never really sold on a move’ to Merseyside and he eventually signed for Napoli in a £25 million move.

The 3AM Verdict: United had been considering Calvert-Lewin as a potential third-choice striker option but after McTominay decided Everton wasn’t the destination for him, the Red Devils did not consider the former Sheffield United man ‘too deeply’. While the Toffees have brought in some strong signings this summer, missing out on McTominay is a shame as his style and work ethic would have suited Dyche’s team and style of play. But they cannot afford to dwell on missed opportunities.