Liverpool have another chance to finally secure the signature of Dayot Upamecano in this January transfer window rather than revisiting their interest in Marc Guehi. Reports linking the Reds to Upamecano date back to his move from Red Bull Salzburg to RB Leipzig back in 2017.

Speculation persisted for the next four years until perennial Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich clinched a deal to sign the French international. Upamecano inked a five-year contract with the German powerhouse in the summer of 2021.

Four and a half years later, a new contract remains unsigned. If that does not change before New Year's Day, the player will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any foreign club.

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Liverpool are all too familiar with this scenario, having experienced it during the Trent Alexander-Arnold saga that overshadowed their last winter transfer window. Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were also in a similar position last January, but they eventually signed extensions this spring.

This winter, the focus is squarely on central defenders. Guehi, Ibrahima Konate, and Upamecano are all entering the final six months of their contracts.

Guehi was on the brink of signing for the Reds on the last day of the summer transfer window. However, there are no guarantees that they will reignite any deal with Crystal Palace in the first month of 2026.

Konate's future is also uncertain. Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain are among the clubs reportedly interested in the French international, while Real Madrid have backed off from a potential move.

The former and latter are said to be interested in Guehi, with Manchester City also seemingly in the mix. However, interest from Bavaria would likely only persist if they are prepared to lose Upamecano.

PSG and Real Madrid are reportedly chasing the central defender. Yet, there were reports a few weeks ago suggesting that a new contract agreement was imminent.

Liverpool's pursuit and potential signing of Upamecano could even persuade Konate to remain at Anfield. The duo previously formed a defensive partnership for Leipzig and occasionally do so for the French national team, having also played together for the under-21s.

Eurosport France posed a question to Konate in March 2023, asking him to compare Upamecano and Virgil van Dijk. Chuckling at the query, he responded: "What kind of question is that? You can't compare the two.

"With Upamecano, we are in the same category, even if he is a very high competitor. But Van Dijk, I put him on a different planet.

"We're still a long way from achieving what he did. Although we will get there one day, I have no doubt."