Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Geoffrey Kondogbia, Gregoire Defrel

Liverpool will reportedly follow up their interest in Inter Milan outcast Geoffrey Kondogbia with a winter move for the midfielder. Meanwhile, Sassuolo have confirmed there is widespread interest in Reds target Gregoire Defrel.

Sky Sports cited Italian outlet Web Calcio and reported Kondogbia's chances of a move to Anfield this January look promising after his public falling out with Inter manager Frank de Boer.

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The Frenchman was hauled off after just 28 minutes during a Serie A clash against Bologna last month, and speculation has since emerged Kondogbia will be allowed to leave the San Siro when the transfer window reopens.

Ball Street took note of just how quickly the anchor's reputation has plummeted since arriving in Italy from AS Monaco with beaming expectations last year:

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp looks to have settled on a midfield trio of Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum for the time being, but Kondogbia can offer a much steelier approach than those three.

More than 200 voters in a recent poll run by fan account Forza Italian Football recently decided Kondogbia had run his course at Inter after his run-in with De Boer, indicating his stock may have also fallen with the fans:

Kondogbia moved to Inter for a substantial £26 million fee in 2015, but it's highly unlikely the Nerazzurri would be able to recoup that figure in January, meaning a loan move may be the most plausible option.

The midfielder's agent, Jonathan Maarek, has attempted to soothe talk regarding a winter exit from Inter, however, after speaking to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Football Italia):

"

Despite the current situation, Geoffrey is relaxed. There are no problems and he is happy at Inter

Kondogbia is certainly a top level player. He has a lot of quality and is very young, so obviously he has a lot of clubs interested in him.

Can I name them? I will just say that he is not lacking interested clubs.

I don’t know what the dynamics within the club are, but he is happy at Inter and wants to do well with this jersey.

"

Elsewhere, Sassuolo manager John Carnevali has spoken to Italian television regarding the future of Defrel, who is said to have drawn interest from Napoli and Liverpool, among others.

Tuttomercatoweb provided a transcript of Carnevali's comments (h/t Sport Witness): "Defrel is an important player who has so many offers, but we will not sell anyone. The project is strong."

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Liverpool sold Christian Benteke to Crystal Palace this past summer and could add to their striking competition with the acquisition of Defrel, who has scored seven goals in 11 matches across all contests this term.

Sport Witness mentioned Everton were in talks to sign the Frenchman last year, but after hitting a hot streak of form, Defrel could find himself at an alternative Merseyside destination in 2017.