Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Ryan Sessegnon and Andrea Ranocchia

Tottenham Hotspur are leading the race to sign teenage sensation Ryan Sessegnon of Fulham, despite Liverpool's continued interest.

The Mirror (h/t Luke Gardener of the Daily Star) reported the north London club are now favourites to beat the Reds, as Manchester United and Arsenal also monitor the Craven Cottage left-back. Spurs are ready to close a deal in January to capture the 16-year-old, with the player recently carrying a £5 million valuation on his young shoulders.

The hot prospect has scored twice and assisted once in five matches this term, according to Gardener, as Fulham chase promotion back to the Premier League.

The Anfield giants have repeatedly monitored Sessegnon, with Jurgen Klopp's interest dating back to April, per John Cross of the Mirror.

The defender recently took to social media to celebrate his meteoric rise in the professional ranks:

Bruce Archer of the Express said the player has been dubbed “a young Gareth Bale,” with the big teams in the top division circling above him in west London. 

Comparisons to Bale are premature, but the talented young starlet could become a true attacking force as he matures.

His recent goalscoring achievements prove he has an eye for a finish, and as he becomes physically stronger, he could walk a similar path to the Real Madrid icon.

Here is the player scoring for his club:

Sessegnon's Fulham team-mate Kevin McDonald has said he thinks the teenager should remain at the club during his formative years, as Gardener quoted:

"

Ryan’s at a great club to learn his trade and progress.

The experience he’s getting in games and training with the players every day is good for him.

I’m sure he will continue kicking on. He has everything in his locker to be a top player and it’s up to him how he does it.

"

Felice Calabro'/Associated Press

In other Reds news, Klopp is interested in capturing Andrea Ranocchia of Inter Milan on loan in January.

According to TalkSport and Calciomercato (h/t Football Italia), "Klopp is an admirer of the Italian centre-back and wants him in his defence for the second half of the season."

Ranocchia's future appears to be away from the San Siro, and he could answer the call for a move to Merseyside if Klopp decides to negotiate.

Liverpool's defence continues to leak goals at an alarming rate, forcing the charismatic German to reassess his options in the winter transfer window.

Antonio Calanni/Associated Press

Ranocchia's height would make him an asset in England, but it is questionable whether he would start under Klopp.

The Inter defender lacks the culture of typical Italian centre-backs, and at 28, he has already fully developed and won't improve.

The Italy international is a squad player at best and would not enhance Liverpool's current back four in the Premier League.

Ranocchia would offer the Reds a good option from the bench, but he is not the answer to the team's fragile core.