Liverpool: January Transfer Rumors
With the opening of the January transfer window, the rumor mill is churning and today we bring you all the latest news and happenings concerning the Liverpool camp.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers will not look to spend excessively this window as he already believes that he has enough players at his disposal. However, he has sent scouts to look at two specific youngsters.
19-year-old
Andres Bascon hails from the renowned La Masia, Barcelona's youth academy, and the defender is gaining prominence on both club and international level.
Besides winning 16 caps for Spain Under-21s, the boyhood Barca fan has also made huge strides in Barcelona B and is considered to be the greatest talent among the reserves.
Of course, Barcelona are not looking to sell, but Rodgers is very keen on adding the teenager to his squad and could tempt Bascon with offers of first team football.
Another young player on the Northern Irishman's radar is French goalkeeper
Pierre-Francois Costantini.
The 17-year-old is capped at Under-19 level and has already established himself in the senior team at Bastia despite having just came through the ranks from the academy two years ago. Currently, Costantini has made 8 appearances in Ligue 1.
Bastia will naturally refuse to let go of their current first-choice goalkeeper, but Costantini himself is desperate for a move to England to further his career.
Liverpool holding midfielder
Lucas Romero is wanted by Paris Saint-Germain, a long-term suitor of the Argentine. Romero would prefer to stay, but Liverpool might be tempted to cash in, as the 24-year-old has not been in the best of form this season.
Paris Saint-Germain have been chasing Lucas Romero for a long time
Manchester City endured a torrid start to the season, but are starting to get back on their feet, rising to 7th place in December following the sacking of Slaven Bilic and the appointment of Rafa Benitez. The Arab-owned club already spent a total of £75 million in the summer on six new players, but are desperate for more quality to lift them further up the league table.
One key target that Benitez has identified is Liverpool vice-captain
Jordan Henderson. The 28-year-old has proven himself as one of the best midfielders in Europe and City would be able to pry him from the hands of their fellow Premier League club if they offer big money.
Real Madrid are plotting a double swoop for
Raheem Sterling and
Richairo Zivkovic.
Sterling was unsettled at Anfield a few months ago along with Philippe Coutinho after an apparent bust-up with Rodgers over the treatment of Mamadou Sakho, who has since left to join Juventus.
Sterling is happy to stay but might be enticed toward the prospect of a new challenge in Spain
He is now happy to stay on Merseyside, but Real have been interested in acquiring his services for a long time, and the England international, who has an impressive number of 18 assists this season, might be enticed toward the prospect of a new challenge in Spain after 8 years at Liverpool and winning a multitude of trophies.
Likewise, Zivkovic is not believed to be desiring to leave, but the striker, currently Liverpool's top scorer in the Premier League with 20 goals in 21 games, could still have his head turned by Real.
Dortmund were interested in
James Ward-Prowse back in August but now Juventus and Roma have both joined in the chase for the central midfielder, although their efforts will be futile as the player in question has pledged loyalty to his current club.
Reds icon
Daniel Sturridge, a man who has won the love of the Kop after several dazzling trophy-laden seasons, will be offloaded this month.
Daniel Sturridge has effectively been replaced by Richairo Zivkovic and is not wanted by Liverpool
Sturridge damaged his cruciate ligaments in 2017, sidelining himself for 8 months. As a result, Zivkovic burst onto the scene and the 29-year-old has been relegated to being a bench warmer even after his complete recovery.
The forward still has the goods, with 9 goals scored in 13 games across all competitions so far in 2018/19, and is angling for a move to a side that guarantees more first team football. Unfortunately, his wage demands of around £150k per week will be a stumbling block for Liverpool to sell.
A long period of sitting on the bench is starting to frustrate
Jordon Ibe, and the winger is set to be on his way out of Liverpool after discussing his future at the club with Rodgers.
Ibe has not managed to get a single minute of game time in the Premier League this season and has only made 4 appearances, two of those coming in the League Cup and another two in the Champions League.
The Wycombe Wanderers youth product wants to experience playing football abroad, with Sevilla and Wolfsburg both likely destinations.