Football news - Paper Round: Liverpool want Tarkowski loan amid injury crisis

Dejan Lovren's hamstring injury, suffered against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup, has left Liverpool planning defensive reinforcements. Jurgen Klopp has decided that Simon Mignolet will now not be sold in order to keep some experience in the squad, but they have also turned their attention to Burnley's James Tarkowksi, according to the Sun. The 26-year-old defender is rated at £50 million, but Liverpool want him on loan.

Paper Round's view: It iseems unlikely that Burnley would be willing to let a player as important as Tarkowski to leave on loan. They are by no means safe with half the season to go, and giving up a player on loan to a Premier League rival would only make sense if they were properly compensated. Selling Tarkowksi would be the only way for that to happen, which might not be a move Liverpool are willing to make when injuries could be resolved soon.

Tottenham Hotspur are planning for life without Toby Alderweireld next season. The club extended the Belgian's contract for one more season, but that means that clubs can activate a £25 million release clause next season, with Paris Saint-Germain interested. The Independent says that Spurs will rival Manchester United and Liverpool for Joachim Andersen, rated at £35 million by his current club Sampdoria.

Paper Round's view: At 22, Andersen is the kind of player that Daniel Levy loves, full of potential and able to develop into a player that can earn the club plenty of profit. With Juan Foyth getting his chances in the middle of defence, and with Jan Vertonghen providing experience at the back, Spurs can target a younger player for next season. £35 million is an affordable figure for almost any Premier League club.

Sampdoria are active in the winter transfer market already, as they look to complete a move for Southampton's striker Manolo Gabbiadini. He flourished after his move from Napoli in 2017, but quickly faded as he settled in the Premier League. Sampdoria have agreed a £10.8 million deal with Southampton, and are hoping the 27-year-old striker will help them push towards fourth place in the second half of the season, according to the Guardian.

Paper Round's view: When Gabbiadini started life in England he appeared set to grow into one of the most threatening strikers in the Premier League. His goals against Manchester United in the League Cup almost caused a huge upset, but he was not able to push on further and find consistency. This move gives him the chance to restart his career in more familiar surroundings, and gives Southampton the chance to add to their squad in a difficult season.

Manchester City could make Declan Rice a transfer target. The 19-year-old midfielder will be monitored by Spanish manager Pep Guardiola as a potential replacement for Fernandinho, who will be 34 this season. After signing a new deal at West Ham, Rice would cost around £50 million, and would play alongside the Brazilian midfielder for another season to learn the ropes, according to the Sun.

Paper Round's view: Rice is a hugely promising player, and regardless of choosing the Republic of Ireland or England for his international future, would be an important signing for City. A young player would give Guardiola the chance to mould him into exactly the kind of player he wants, and his Premier League experience would mean there is a great chance of him settling in quickly at the Etihad.