Liverpool have secured the services of three free players, and it looks like it is going to be another busy summer for the Merseysiders who have been linked with some players pretty vigorously, and some as part of the sillyseason routine.
Kovacic close to joining Liverpool?
So say a gazillion reports in Italian media as well as in Croatia.
The Reds have most vigorously been linked with the Croat in the past few weeks and it seems that newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport is intent on having him play for Liverpool next season. After claiming the Reds were a days awaya from securing his signature a few days back, the Italian paper has now stated that Liverpool and Inter Milan have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of the player. According to the report, Liverpool will pay Inter a 23m (A?17m) plus a bonus related to appearances.
Kovacic recently went on the record to state that he wants to stay at San Siro.
a Ia ve signed a contract until 2019 and I expect to remain at the club until then, but you never know in football,a he said, a Ia m 100 per cent committed to Inter and want to stay at the club.a
These comments are not unheard of, from players making a move in the future but usually do simmer down reports.
Sources close to the club (some journalists) have maintained complete silence over the matter and Roberto Mancini recently also spoke about him feeling Kovacic will stay with Inter. It has been claimed that Inter have received no bids for the player. Therefore, it is not even certain whether there is genuine interest from the Merseysiders, or whether the deal will be closed shortly. However, from all the reports and rumors doing rounds in the Italian, English and even Croatian media, it seems that this is one transfer that could materialize. Whether it will drag for a few weeks or months remains to be seen.
Juventus want A?15 million for Carlos Tevez
Metro reported that Liverpool were interested in signing the former Manchester United and City striker, who seems certain to be leaving the Italian giants this summer.
Inspite of the addition of Danny Ings, Liverpool need a more complete and established striker as Ings is likely to come in as an upgrade over Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert and the Reds still need their first choice striker (as Daniel Sturridge’s absence is still uncertain)
Tevez will be an ideal addition for Brendan Rodgers but whether there is any truth in these rumors remains to be seen. Tevez has interested Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, as well as Argentine club Boca Juniors with his desire to leave Juve so Liverpool are going to face a lot of competition if they are genuinely interested in the player.
Dzeko could come to Anfield in Sterling swap deal
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The 29 year-old has three years left on his contract and hence, a sum close to A?20million will get the City management interested. Italian side AS Roma are believed to be leading the race for the Bosnian’s signature. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked with the player.
Dzeko has spent four season with the Premier League giants since his A?27 million move from Wolfsburg in 2011. Dzeko has scored about 70 goals in all competitions for the Manchester side.
City want to strengthen their side for next season and are interested in former Chelsea man Kevin De Bruyne, Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere and Everton’s Ross Barkley besides Raheem Sterling.
Battle with Southampton and Newcastle United over Juanmi
Liverpool are the latest side to be linked with Spanish starlet Juanmi. The 22 year-old scored eight times in 38 appearances in La Liga last season to earn a Spain call-up. Southampton have emerged as frontrunners for his signature but Newcastle United also remain in the race.
The 22 year old was called up to the Spain squad in March after Chelsea star Diego Costa withdrew because of a hamstring injury.
Tutto Mercato Web have revealed that Brendan Rodgers is eyeing the highly rated Malaga striker to solve his goalscoring woes.
A fee in the region of a 7m will get Malaga interested but due to the stiff competition for his signature, the Reds might have to reach double figures to get his services.
Juanmi is highly rated in Spain and did very well for Malaga last season but he isn’t what Liverpool require at the moment. They already have two talented youngsters with potential to prove in Danny Ings and Divock Origi. The Reds need established players so suggestions with Dzeko and Tevez make more sense at the moment.