We round-up the latest transfer rumours affecting Liverpool, as calls for summer reinforcements grow louder by the day.
What better way to take our minds of Saturday’s drab goalless draw with West Brom than to take a look at the current rumour mill.
The stalemate at the Hawthorns on Saturday has only increased calls for Liverpool to strengthen their squad significantly at the end of the season, particularly in attack.
Here are the latest rumours affecting the Reds:
Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay has been the biggest transfer talking point of the week, with numerous reports suggesting Liverpool held “secret talks” with the PSV Eindhoven attacker this week.
It is alleged that the Reds have moved into pole position ahead of Man United for the signature of the highly-rated Dutchman.
Owing to Liverpool’s history of losing out to rivals when it comes to signing big-name players, fans won’t be getting overly excited about the prospect of this one coming off.
Indeed, the Echo’s James Pearce has already signalled as much, writing: “The Reds are interested in the £20million rated PSV Eindhoven attacker but Anfield officials fear he will make the switch to Old Trafford instead because of the availability of Champions League football.”
Likelihood: 2.5/5
Kyriakos Papadopoulos
Recent transfer round-ups haven’t felt right without a constant mention of Kyriakos Papadopoulos, but you can rest easy because he’s once again being tipped for a summer move to Merseyside.
The Greece international has been linked with Liverpool for a couple of years now, and the Mirror claim “Brendan Rodgers has resurrected his interest” in the player.
The 23-year-old has suffered terribly with a knee injury in recent seasons, and is currently on loan at Bayer Leverkusen from Schalke.
Papadopoulos’ contract at Schalke expires this summer, and Rodgers is reportedly keen to bring him in on a free transfer to bolster his defence.
Don’t rule it out, even if there are definite question marks about his long-term fitness.
Likelihood: 2.5/5
James Milner
James Milner is certainly a player many are expecting to become a Liverpool player this summer, and the (rather untrustworthy) Daily Star believe it is a “done deal”.
The reports claim that, despite interest from Arsenal and Roma, Rodgers has guaranteed Milner a more central midfield role- his position of preference- and that a free transfer has been agreed.
The 29-year-old England international is not starting many games at Man City, and will surely feel that regular football is paramount at this stage in his career.
There has been plenty of negativity surrounding the possible purchase of Milner, but he is consistent, versatile and a proven winner. Liverpool could certainly make worse signings.
Likelihood: 4/5
Stevan Jovetic
That same report also suggests Stevan Jovetic is one of Rodgers’ first-choice attacking targets this summer.
The 25-year-old has been linked with Liverpool in the past, and the £16m-rated star may well jump at the chance of a new challenge.
Like Milner, Jovetic has found regular football extremely hard to come by at the Etihad this season, with Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko often preferred up front. Wilfried Bony’s arrival in January has only put further doubt over his future.
A lack of potency in attack has been a huge achilles heel for the Reds this season, but whether Jovetic would be a guaranteed source of goals is questionable, despite his undoubted ability.
Likelihood: 2/5
Christian Benteke
According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool are lining up a £30million deal for Christian Benteke, with Rickie Lambert potentially heading the other way.
The bruising Belgian outlined his quality against the Reds last week, scoring in Villa’s 2-1 FA Cup semi-final victory, and has proved to be a thorn in Liverpool’s side several times in the past.
Lambert, Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini have all failed to thrive in Daniel Sturridge‘s absence through injury this season, and at least one new striker is needed.
A big overhaul looks likely in that department, and there is an argument to say that none of those three could be at Anfield next year.
Rodgers clearly doesn’t rate Balotelli, Lambert will surely move on and Borini is not Liverpool class, despite his admirable effort levels.
Danny Ings is another who could well be at Anfield next season, regardless of whether Benteke joins or not, while Divock Origi will return from his loan spell at Lille.
Likelihood: 2/5
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