Here is a selection of transfer rumors involving Liverpool FC in the recent days.
Strong Memphis Depay links
Memphis Depay is one name that is going to be doing rounds in the coming months, at least till the PSV star’s future is settled. The Dutchman has attracted severe interest from Premier League clubs Manchester United and Liverpool (notably) along with Tottenham Hotspur. There have also been links with Real Madrid and PSG in the past.
The Mirror reported that the player flew to England on Thursday with his representatives and though he landed at Manchester airport, it was Ian Ayre a Liverpoola s CEO a who he and his representatives met with at a nearby hotel. The paper also reported that Liverpool so far,is the only club that has been granted permission to speak with the player about a move.
However, Carl Thomas, an agent with the SEG Group who represent Depay, tweeted a picture of Uniteda s Carrington training complex with the caption a Nice day in Manchestera .
a Ita s not true,a Depay told Fox Sports when asked about the rumours of him meeting with Louis van Gaal and Manchester United upon flying to England
a I want to say nothing more about it. Wea ll see how it goes, but I know myself there is still nothing so I can tell you nothing.a
PSV Eindhoven technical director Marcel Brands confirmed earlier that Manchester United had a called about Depaya
a There are three big clubs that have approached us over Memphis Depay now, clubs that are concrete,a he told Fox Sports. a Therea s PSG who are still interested, we have received a phone call from Manchester United, although no formal talks have taken place for now.a
It was also reported that Depay had been impressed with FSG’s ambition in chasing him as they have been believed to be scouting him for over a year, and with their vision for the club’s future and desire to include Depay in it. Manchester United do hold the trump card in this chase as it is Louis van Gaal who leads the side and Depay could be keen to reunite with van Gaal at Manchester United. However, Liverpool – according to the various reports doing rounds at the moment – seem very keen on the player and could perhaps land him.
It is the Daily Star this time. According to the media outlet, Manchester City’s James Milner will join the Reds next season. Milner is believed to be keen on playing in midfield and Brendan Rodgers has promised that he would be an integral part of his side in the middle of the park. City boss Manuel Pellegrini has stated more than once that he wants Milner to extend his contract, but the player is unhappy with a fringe role. With Steven Gerrard leaving in the summer and Liverpool desperately in need for some experience along with quality in the team, Rodgers has thought of Milner to be the perfect player to add to the squad.
Ciro Immobile on Reds’ radar
Journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reports, a Ciro Immobile could be leaving Germany for England. Liverpool are interested in the Italian striker, the Reds have contacted Borussia Dortmunda s director (Michael) Zorc. Immobile could replace Balotelli at Anfield since Super Mario is set to leave Rodgersa club. After leaving Italy last summer, Immobile could be heading to England a Liverpool is taking concrete steps to acquire him.a
It is certain that at least three, if not all, of Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini and Iago Aspas will be shipped off in the summer and apparently Brendan Rodgers views Immobile as the player who could come and provide real firepower to the Reds squad.
Read: Is Ciro Immobile an upgrade on Liverpool’s existing marginalized strikeforce?
Reports in The Metro claim that Liverpool are going to go in for a swap deal with Aston Villa persuading them to part with in-form striker Christian Benteke, with Rickie Lambert going to Tim Sherwood’s side. But the report says that the striker, who has recently rediscovered his goalscoring touch, would still take a sum in the region of A?30m to prise the Belgian from Villa Park. Benteke scored against Liverpool and helped the Villains reach the final of the FA Cup.
The Belgian will almost certainly be a subject of various bids from top clubs in the summer, but it is unlikely that Liverpool will pay the sum Sherwood and co. are reportedly going to demand. The Reds are chasing Burnley’s Danny Ings and the expectancy of the Clarets man arriving on a free transfer in the summer is far more than Benteke heading to Merseyside.
Another swap deal on the cards? Liverpool eye Mateo Kovacic
It was reported in March that Liverpool had sent a scouting team to Zagreb to watch highly rated Inter midfielder Mateo Kovacic for Croatia. Italian media outlet Forza Italian Football now report that the Reds have proposed a swap deal to Inter for young midfielder Mateo Kovacic with Lucas Leiva heading in the opposite direction. They quote English daily Daily Telegraph and write: It is thought that Nerazzurri coach Roberto Mancini is a fan of Lucas and feels he will be more useful tactically than Kovacic.
Kovacic is a brilliant talent and extremely mature for his age and could provide a lot of spine to Liverpool’s almost non-existent recent midfield. However, the Reds are reported to be looking to get more experienced players to the side to ensure that they have enough experience in the side to challenge at the top most level.