Fantastic Four LFC weekly transfer update
Welcome to this week’s Fantastic Four transfer update where take a look at the latest press speculation as Brendan Rodgers looks to improve on Liverpool’s surprise 2nd place Premiership finish last season.
As usual, the Bullshit Rating gives our impression of the likelihood of a move being completed. One star for a likely successful outcome and five for a rumour that stinks more than steaming pile of stinking stuff!
Luis Suarez – Despite his 30-goal haul last season, it looks as if the mercurial Uruguayan is set to leave Anfield. His strategy of biting opponents in order to disgust his team enough to sell him continues to succeed after a slight hiccup last season. The Mirror claims a deal could be announced as early as this weekend. Barcelona’s dentists – sorry medics, standby to fly to Uruguay and finalise the deal . BS Rating: 1 – Luis who? Liverpool would do well to make such a rare profit on a player who’s shelf life at Anfield now well and truly past.
Divock Origi – After the Lille youngster’s impressive displays for Belgium in their World Cup campaign, the Daily Mail suggests Rodgers is close to getting the 20 year-old to put pen to paper for a fee reported to be around £10m. The daily has even gone so far as to show pictures of Origi arriving at Melwood to complete the formalities. BS Rating: 2 – The camera never lies as they say. A newspaper? Well that’s debatable but the lad in the photo could well be the young prospect. If it is, then a deal could already have been struck.
Ryan Bertrand – This has been hanging around for a while now and there does appear to be some genuine interest in the 24 year-old South Londoner. The Telegraph report that Rodgers has had a £6m bid turned down for the perennial loanee left back. Chelsea are refusing to budge on their £8m valuation. When you consider Liverpool were willing to pay Sevilla £16m for 22 year-old Alberto Moreno, the mind boggles at their apparent reluctance to shell out half that amount for a player that’s almost certain to come in and hit the ground running. Is it me, or does this situation seem somewhat odd? The report mentions “Add ons” in order to meet Jose Mourinho’s valuation. Was anything going to be “added on” for Moreno? Such as “Another £2m once he learns English”, perhaps? BS Rating: 2 – A more than capable back up, for the born again Jose Enrique, and an absolute steal when compared to other expensive imitations.
Lazar Markovic – After a few weeks of speculation, it seems Rodgers may well have secured a £20m deal for the 20 year-old Serbian making him the fourth signing of a busy close season so far. According to the Express, Markovic “flies to England” in order to complete a £25m move from Benfica. Having spent just one season at the Portuguese outfit, the attacking midfielder clearly feels the grass is greener on the other side. The claim that he’ll be a replacement for the departing Suarez is a little wide of the mark and somewhat unfair on the lad. He seems to be a fairly skillful player with good pace. As to whether he can take a full-bloodied challenge from Ryan Shawcross on a windy January evening in the Carling Cup remains to be seen. BS Rating: 1 – Looks as if the deal is as good as done. I’m not sure if I’m convinced the boy is as good as is being made out though. Could well be the new… Alberto Aquilani.
There’s my pick of this week’s gossip. At the time of writing I hear Liverpool are making noises about Dejan Lovren and Steven Caulker. Thank The Lord! It looks as if the worst defence in the 2013/14 Premiership top-five is going to be shored up finally. I just hope something comes of this. I’m a great believer in the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach and I’m not at all impressed with Rodgers’ insistence on trying to sign every attacking player bar myself. A couple of good solid defenders should have been the club’s first priorities because on last seasons showing, they would have finished mid table had it not been for Suarez. Yes, he’ll need replacing, but he’s just one player. Our defence usually consists of at least four.
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Photo: Getty
