Liverpool are battling to find a centre-half signing before Monday's deadline.
The Sunday World says the late nature of Liverpool's efforts to sign a centre-back has put them in a weak negotiating position, with several top target unavailable in the final hours of this month's transfer window.
With Jurgen Klopp admitting Liverpool's finances are tight, moves for the RB Leipzig defensive duo Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate were ruled out earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Lille would demand a huge up front fee for their Dutch defender Sven Botman and any deal for the highly-rated Dutchman viewed as unlikely before Monday.
Now short-term loan deals also under consideration, with World Cup winner Shkodran Mustafi will be an option if he can agree on a deal to terminate the remaining six months of his Arsenal contract.
Anfield sources say "several options" are being considered, while it's also been reported there is a growing expectation that Virgil van Dijk could play again this season as he recovers from a knee injury.
