Liverpool transfer news: Rivals eye Reds target as Nicolo Zaniolo alternative

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Galatasaray are reportedly interested in Russian wonderkid and rumoured Liverpool target Arsen Zakharyan if they fail to sign Nicolo Zaniolo, who was last month close to a move to Tottenham.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, the 19-year-old Dynamo Moscow star is being considered by Galatasaray if Zaniolo snubs a move to Turkey, who Rudy Galetti recently claimed that Tottenham had reached an agreement with to sign before the closure of the January transfer window.

With Turkish clubs having until Wednesday to make signings, Zaniolo has been hotly linked with a move to Galatasaray and now Fenerbahce according to journalist Alfredo Pedulla. However, Zakharyan is now being considered by Gala.

Lauded as ‘special’ by transfer expert Dean Jones, the Russian international has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League, with KPRU reporting that Liverpool are interested in signing Zakharyan, alongside Chelsea. Yet a move to Turkey could now be on the cards.

Indeed, Zakharyan was expected to leave Russia in the summer following the numerous UEFA and FIFA sanctions placed on the country following their invasion of Ukraine. However, the teenage attacking midfielder is yet to make the move from Moscow.

However, with a Turkish club in Galatasaray now interested in signing Zakharyan, the youngster could finally have his ticket out of Russia sorted, with the teenager arguably a more sensible transfer for the Istanbul-based side than Zaniolo given the immense resale value on offer.

Liverpool or Chelsea could sign Zakharyan from Galatasaray in 2024

Zakharyan is regarded by many as one of the best talents coming out of Russia and Eastern Europe as a whole, and with the youngster potentially moving to Turkey, an opportunity could finally be there for the likes of Liverpool or Chelsea to land the teenager in 2024.

After all, signing a player from Turkey will be much easier in the next 12 months than Russia, and with Galatasaray looking to do all the hard work for Premier League sides, Zakharyan could soon be off to England if the midfielder impresses in Istanbul in the coming months.