Journalist: Liverpool could sign forward for £26m in January | OneFootball

Liverpool monitor Franculino Dju as January focus sharpens

Heavy summer spending promised continuity and evolution, yet by early December the title defence had slipped from Liverpool’s grasp. Goals, or the lack of them, have shaped that disappointment. Late drama has masked deeper issues, and Arne Slot’s side now appear to be searching for sharper tools in attack.

The numbers underline the concern. Liverpool invested more than £400 million to strengthen a Premier League winning squad, but only Hugo Ekitike has consistently delivered in the final third. Others have flickered rather than flourished. Against that backdrop, interest in emerging forwards feels less speculative and more necessary.

Franculino Dju enters Liverpool thinking

As Christian Falk reports, Liverpool’s recruitment team have turned their attention to Denmark. Liverpool have identified FC Midtjylland forward Franculino Dju as a target and are prepared to rival Bayern Munich in the pursuit of the 21 year old.

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are also monitoring the situation, clubs with strong track records of developing young forwards. Competition will be fierce, but Liverpool’s pitch is clear. Dju offers goals, flexibility and value. Valued at €16.5 million by Football Transfers, he is expected to be available for around €30 million, a fee that reflects potential rather than polish.

Midtjylland are open to a sale. Dju joined from Benfica’s academy on a free transfer in 2023 and has since exploded into prominence, making January a realistic window for movement.

Photo; IMAGO

Profile that fits Liverpool needs

The appeal lies in output. Dju has scored 21 goals in 30 appearances this season and has been involved in a goal or assist every 86 minutes. Those numbers demand attention regardless of league context. At 21, he combines physical presence with adaptability, capable of operating centrally or from the right.

Internationally, he has been capped 14 times by Guinea Bissau, a detail that matters strategically. Crucially, Guinea Bissau did not qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, meaning Dju would remain available while Mohamed Salah is away should a deal be completed early in January.

That availability could prove decisive. Liverpool’s attack often feels stretched during international tournaments, and depth has been tested repeatedly this season.

Calculated gamble in evolving attack

Dju represents a different kind of signing. Not a finished article, not a marquee name, but a forward in form and on an upward curve. Compared to links with Antoine Semenyo or Yan Diomande, this is a more economical option, one that aligns with Liverpool’s historic appetite for development.

Whether Liverpool move from interest to action remains uncertain. Yet Falk’s reporting places Dju firmly on the radar. In a season where goals have come too slowly, that radar is scanning urgently.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

For Liverpool supporters, this link feels sensible rather than exciting, and that may be its strength. Franculino Dju is not being touted as a saviour, but as a solution to a clear problem. Goals have been rationed this season, and relying on moments of brilliance has proven unsustainable.

Fans will note the parallels with previous successful recruitment, identifying talent before the market inflates. The price point matters. Spending £26 million on a player in red hot form carries risk, but far less than waiting and paying double later. There is also reassurance in availability during AFCON, something supporters have come to dread each season.

Scepticism will remain about adapting from Denmark to the Premier League. That transition is not guaranteed. Yet under Slot, Liverpool have shown a willingness to integrate players gradually, protecting them rather than overexposing them.

If this interest becomes a January move, supporters will judge Dju not on hype but on contribution. Goals off the bench, energy from wide areas and competition for places would already feel like progress.