Liverpool FC received some serious setback as Barcelona chief admitted interest in potential Steven Gerrard replacement Mateo Kovacic.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is believed to think that Kovacic could be a good replacement for departing skipper Steven Gerrard. The 21 year-old has been regarded as his nationa s next great No. 10. He is a classic playmaker with amazing attacking threat, but at the same time he has the immense potential to play ahead or behind that role. He can play anywhere in the midfield, in the centre, behind the striker or on the flanks. The 21 year-old started of as an attacking midfielder, but he has astoundingly transformed his game in Milan, playing like a regista or a deep-lying playmaker.
Liverpool submitted a a 10million (A?7.2m) bid for midfielder Mateo Kovacic, Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri made the claim on his Twitter account. The bid is way low of Inter’s evaluation of the player but the Reds were believed to be testing the waters with the their bid. Liverpool think that Inter’s interest in Yaya Toure could help them land the talented Croat.
However, there is some serious competition for the Reds out there with Barcelona (who made advances for the midfielder in the previous windows as well) director Ariedo Braida admitting that the midfielder was on the cluba s radar.
a Of course there is no denying that we like the player and that he has quality.”
Barcelona have identified Kovacic as the player who could replace Xavi at the club so the player will have a huge void to fill wherever he eventually decides to go.
The advantage Liverpool have over the Catalans is that they could land him in the summer as opposed to Barcelona doing it next winter, when their transfer ban gets over. They can also offer him a first team place as the Liverpool midfield is seriously devoid of quality. However, Barcelona will be a very difficult team to turn down and the player could also partner compatriot Ivan Rakitic in the centre of the part.
This is one transfer story you should keep an eye on.