Liverpool find themselves in a decisive moment this transfer window, with the chance to reshape their squad while solving both depth and surplus issues. A potential swap deal involving England U21 forward Jonathan Rowe has drawn significant attention, offering the Reds an opportunity to address multiple concerns in one move.
The club’s defensive setup has become congested on the left side following the £45 million signing of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth. His arrival has intensified competition with veteran Andrew Robertson, 31, whose leadership and contributions remain invaluable but who is approaching the latter stages of his career. Alongside them is Konstantinos Tsimikas, 29, who has impressed in spells but remains third choice, limiting his minutes and sparking interest from clubs such as Nottingham Forest, Fulham, and former side Olympiacos. Marseille, however, present the most intriguing option, with reports suggesting a possible swap involving Rowe.
Marseille’s internal issues under Roberto De Zerbi have accelerated Rowe’s availability. Following a clash with Adrien Rabiot after their opening Ligue 1 defeat, De Zerbi placed both players on the transfer list, insisting they would no longer feature for the club. For Rowe, who only joined last summer from Norwich for €15m, the fallout represents a sudden downturn after a bright start in France.
The 22-year-old forward is highly rated, having played a key role in England’s 2024 U21 Euros triumph alongside Liverpool players Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah. His versatility across the front line, combined with pace, dribbling, and goal threat, makes him well-suited to Arne Slot’s fluid attacking system. Given Liverpool’s reduced attacking depth after the exits of Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez, and Ben Doak, Rowe’s addition would provide both competition and cover across multiple roles.
Importantly, Rowe qualifies as a homegrown player, easing squad registration in both the Premier League and UEFA competitions. This adds long-term value beyond his on-field qualities, strengthening Liverpool’s strategic planning.
Marseille’s urgency, coupled with Liverpool’s surplus at left-back, creates the conditions for a creative swap. The deal, however, hinges on aligning valuations, wage expectations, and player preferences. While Rowe’s talent is evident, his temperament after the recent controversy will be closely assessed by Liverpool’s recruitment team.
If completed, the move would not only solve Liverpool’s logjam at left-back but also inject young, homegrown attacking quality into the squad. Such a transaction would underline the club’s reputation for shrewd market maneuvering, balancing present needs with future planning as the window nears its close.
