Liverpool won't rule out Tchouaméni despite Real Madrid contract through 2031

January hasn't even started and hot names are already circulating around Europe. The most eye catching, without question, is Aurélien Tchouaméni, the Real Madrid midfielder who keeps popping up on Liverpool's wish list despite having signed a contract extension through 2031. According to TEAMtalk, the Reds are staying in contact with the Frenchman's camp, though for now they aren't pushing to get anything done.

Why the caution? Because Tchouaméni has played just three games this season under José Mourinho, and Anfield would rather wait and see if that changes before making a serious move. One number that's been on the table since the summer is the price tag: Madrid would reportedly have been willing to listen to offers in the region of 80 million euros.

Inter eyeing Chris Richards

There's also plenty cooking in Italy. Tuttosport reports that Inter have their sights set on Chris Richards, the American defender at Crystal Palace, with January in mind. The Italian club's scouts have been tracking the US international for some time, he plays on the right side of Palace's back three, and they see him as part of their broader strategy of bringing in players who could eventually become free agents.

Richards is under contract until 2027, so this wouldn't be a simple or cheap deal, but he'd fit neatly into a defense that has already added Djed Spence and John Stones. He's 26, the same age as Tchouaméni, and both cases show how the big clubs are already thinking about January even with weeks still to go before the window opens.

Haaland, untouchable despite the legal mess

Manchester City, according to Football Insider, have no intention of letting go of Erling Haaland, even if the club ends up relegated as a result of its legal battle with the Premier League. Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all keeping tabs on the Norwegian's situation, but City hold all the cards: he's under contract through 2034 with no relegation release clause of any kind.

Chelsea, for their part, haven't given up on Lamine Camara. The move for the Monaco midfielder fell through on the final day of the summer window over a fee of around 55 million euros, but the Londoners remain interested ahead of January. They're not alone: Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Newcastle are also watching the 22 year old Senegalese midfielder, who is said to be open to a move in the winter window, though it's still unclear whether Monaco will give the green light.

In Turkey, Beşiktaş president Serdal Adalí has promised to strengthen the midfield with Joe Willock of Newcastle. The Englishman's contract runs out in June, meaning he'll be free to negotiate with foreign clubs from January onward, though for now he remains a regular under Matthias Jaissle.

Other names in circulation: PSG, Manchester United and Arsenal are following Alberto Costa, the 22 year old Porto fullback; United and Liverpool are keeping a close eye on 16 year old Gambian youth prospect Alieu Saine; and Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona have their sights on Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck. Bayern Munich, meanwhile, would face an uphill battle if they wanted to pursue Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who is tied down until 2029, and Milan are preparing to make another push for Alejandro Balde once the January transfer window opens.