Liverpool FC have lined up a bid for Venezuela and Zenit St. Petersburg striker Jos SalomA?n RondA?n along with Carlos Bacca.
Liverpool need to bolster their squad with a quality striker and the need became even more imperative after Daniel Sturridge underwent another injury that will keep him out till October or November which means he could effectively miss 10-15 games.
The Reds were linked with a move for Belgian and Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke. However, the Redsa reported offer of A?20million did not meet Bentekea s A?32.5m release clause and Liverpool are not ready to meet Aston Villa’s valuation of the player, reported The Telegraph yesterday. They also added that the club had eyed Sevilla’s Carlos Bacca and Juventus’s Fernando Llorente as alternatives for the Belgian international.
James Pearce of Liverpool ECHO . (journalist and website considered highly reliable when reporting Liverpool news) have substantiated the report today by stating that the club indeed is “ready to walk away and pursue other options” having been told firmly that the player will only be parted with for his release clause.
The report states: Liverpool have turned their attentions to South American duo Carlos Bacca and Salomon Rondon as they weigh up alternatives to Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke. Colombia international Bacca and Venezuela attacker Rondon are among the names under consideration with both strikers currently in action at the Copa America in Chile. Anfield staff are in attendance at the tournament and have been watching their contribution closely.
Bacca scored 28 goals and provided 9 assists in 56 competitive club games for Sevilla. He also scored two goals in the final of the Europa League helping his side to the title. The player is likely to command a fee of around A?20million.
Rondon meanwhile plays in Russia for Zenit Saint Petersburg and scored 18 goals an grabbed 2 assists in 40 games for his side. The 25-year-old would cost Liverpool around A?15million.
Both the players do indeed look like the better option to pursue for Liverpool as opposed to pay A?32.5m for Benteke. While the Belgian is undeniably a good striker, he definitely isn’t worth that kind of money and Liverpool, who have used their money very unwisely in the past could be for yet another Premier League proven flop in him. Of course he could be a hit too, but for that kind of money, he will have to score 15+ goals to just justify the sum paid for him.
Bacca is the costlier option here but the Colombian has enjoyed consistently prolific seasons in the past and could guarantee Liverpool goals and natural goalscorer abilities they so desperately require.
Interestingly, James Pearce’s report also confirmed that Liverpool were indeed keeping “close tabs”on Firmino, a player the club has been linked with in the past few days.