Here is the weekly Liverpool transfer round-up.
Mateo Kovacic – The ideal Steven Gerrard replacement?
Liverpool FC have submitted a a 10million (A?7.2m) bid for midfielder Mateo Kovacic. Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri made the claim on his Twitter account.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is said 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.
Reports in the Italian media suggest that Inter and Barcelona met this past Wednesday to discuss Kovacica s possible move there to replace Xavi, who is expected to leave once his contract is up this summer. Therefore the Reds face tough competition from Barcelona, who want to make the Croat their first signing post the transfer ban they were handed out some months ago.
Both the sides would have to up their offer considerably to match Intera s valuation of the player. Gazzetta dello Sport have stated that Inter will be ready to part company with the player if Liverpool meet the asking price of a 22 million (around A?16m). The fact that Mancini is interested in Skrtel, whose contract negotiations have hit a standstill, could make things happen for Liverpool.
Liverpool targeting more than one Dortmund man
We all know which Dortmund man Liverpool have been tipped to get in the summer. Yes, Jurgen Klopp might as well already be presiding over Melwood training sessions with players, if the Reds fans were to have their way. For now, the man in question is forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Liverpool have turned their attentions to the Borussia Dortmund striker after missing out on PSV Eindhovena s Memphis Depay, according to the Daily Mirror. He is the second Dortmund striker Liverpool are linked with, as some links emerged a few weeks back suggesting Ciro Immobile was also being looked at by the Merseysiders.
The Reds have struggled a great deal in terms of goal and this could be cited as the main reason for their lack of Champions League competition next season. Brendan Rodgers has already said that given Sturridge’s injury woes, the club will look at a top, first choice striker in the summer.
Aubameyang has 14 goals in 31 games and could be on his way out of the Bundesliga side along with Jurgen Klopp in the summer. Liverpool fans would hope both are headed in one direction.
Martin Montoya and Danny Ings are done deals
With Glen Johnson set to depart the club, and the future of Javier Manquillo unlikely along with Jon Flanagan missing out for another six-eight months with injury, Liverpool desperately need reinforcement in the right-back department in the summer.
According to various reports, Liverpool’s long-standing interest in Barcelona’s Martin Montoya is finally going to materialize this summer and they are reported to have made a A?7.2million bid which, according to the Metro, is close to going through.
Danny Ings is another player that is headed to Anfield according to various reports.
a Barring any last-minute hitch, Burnleya s Danny Ings will be one of the additions when his contract ends in July,a writes Chris Bascombe in The Telegraph.
The Burnley man will be a free agent in the summer but the Anfield outfit will have to pay a tribunal fee of around A?4m to the Clarets who are Championship bound.
Ntep denies Melwood meeting
Rumors of Rennes winger Paul Georges Ntep going to Liverpool twice had arisen in the previous few days but speaking to Radio Hit West, Ntep denied these rumours.
The left winger has 9 goals and 5 assists this season and his good form has got him the interest of various clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal Manchester United and Manchester City and Liverpool are now thought to be keen on getting the Frenchman of Cameroonian origin to Merseyside next season.