Liverpool's bid for electric forward is ready - his €75million release clause 'can be activated at any time'

Liverpool are monitoring Arnaut Danjuma and the Athletic's David Ornstein reports that his Villarreal contract contains a €75million release clause.

The Reds need more depth in attack as the first week of 2022 has underlined. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are in Cameroon at the moment as they spearhead their nation's hopes of lifting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Diogo Jota, who has 10 Premier League goals this season, is still fit but Takumi Minamino is yet to be declared fit, Divock Origi is still sidelined as well and Roberto Firmino is at home recovering from COVID-19.

He should return soon along with Alisson Becker and Joel Matip but it's clear for all to see that Jurgen Klopp's attacking ranks are worn worryingly thin and the best course of action would be to invest in a new signing.

At least, that's if the Reds actually have targets in mind for the long-term because there is no point wasting funds on a transfer fee and committing to paying a player high wages if he's not going to play or make a major impact.

This might be why Ornstein writes:" It has been well documented that Liverpool were not planning on bringing anyone to Merseyside in this window and as far as I know that is still the case."

He goes on to add that Liverpool's stance could change depending on injuries blah, blah, blah. It's the same rhetoric we've heard over and over from journalists in recent transfer windows.

If the squad situation that forced Liverpool to request a cup semi-final postponement isn't serious enough then it's blatantly clear that there will be no spending from FSG once again and while it might be that Jurgen Klopp can rescue the situation, he shouldn't be expected to do so time and time again.

He needs support from his owners and frankly, he has been let down badly by FSG over the last several transfer windows. Both in the winter and the summer.

Ornstein continues: "There has been talk about Arnaut Danjuma, for example, and it is believed the 24-year-old is being monitored by Liverpool (and other top European sides) following an impressive start to life at Villarreal.

"The Dutchman is tied down until 2026 but his deal contains a €75 million release clause, which can be activated at any time. Whether teams would go that high or try to tempt Villarreal at a lower price remains hypothetical and a January transfer is not currently on the cards."

A report from Fichajes claims Liverpool have prepared an offer of €45million to persuade Villarreal to part ways with their talismanic new signing but even if that were true which seems unlikely given the nature of the source and FSG's recent track record in the transfer market, they would need to up their offer to stand a chance of landing the 24-year-old.