Liverpool winger Stewart Downing is ready to quit Anfield after being told he can leave the club in the summer. Martin Skrtel is still wanted by Rafael Benitez while Luis Suarez saga could rear its ugly head as the Uruguayan planning to take legal actions against the club. All these and much more in our Liverpool transfer round up today.
The Reds ready to sell Downing
Stewart Downing is looking for options elsewhere after being told that he can leave the club in the summer. Liverpool are keen to offload for around £5 million, with Newcastle United could make a move for the winger.
Soccerlens Verdict: May be. Downing joined the Anfield club from Aston Villa for a reported fee of £20 million two seasons ago.
He turned out to be a major flop and was largely overlooked by Rodgers are the start of last season. However, he reclaimed his place in the second half of the season, as the Reds finished the campaign on a high.
This summer, the emphasis has been laid on adding the squad depth with Rodgers feeling the need to buy a quality attacking winger, who can operate on the right hand side. With two years’ remaining on the 29-year-old’s contract, Rodgers might send him on loan to strike off the £80,000 weekly wages, however it is understood that the club is looking for a permanent deal for him.
Liverpool will let Martin Skrtel go only if the price is right
Martin Skrtel could rejoin his former manager Rafael Benitez at Napoli, but Liverpool are unwilling to send him on a season-long loan.
Soccerlens Verdict: Depends on several factors. Rodgers is looking to bolster his defence in the summer and has already signed Kolo Toure from Manchester City on a free transfer, and one or two further additions won’t be a surprise either, if the reports are to be believed.
Liverpool could be willing sell Skrtel to Napoli, but Rodgers probably won’t entertain the idea of another loan move without adding proper replacement in place. And at this moment, Napoli probably won’t pay anything near to £12 million for the 28-year-old, asked by the Anfield club.
Diego Costa deal is very much on
Liverpool’s potential summer target Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa insisted that he is happy to stay at the Vicente Calderon, though reputed Liverpool Echo journalist James Pearce says “talks with Atletico are ongoing”.
Soccerlens Verdict: Likely. Liverpool are looking to add a quality forward before the transfer window closes down, irrespective of whether Luis Suarez stays or not.
The Reds have already lodged an opening bid of £21.8 million for the 24-year-old Brazil international, and could cough-up few more quid forcing the La Liga outfit to enter into a negotiation. And, we all know, how quickly a player’s tone can change when good offers come their way.
Luis Suarez ready to take legal action against Liverpool
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez could opt for legal measures in an attempt to force through a move to Arsenal, as per reports from Daily Mail.
The striker’s camp feel that Liverpool are reneging on a clause in the contract by not allowing Suarez to leave for Arsenal and the player could take legal actions to force through a move.
Soccerlens Verdict: Going by the latest comments of Brendan Rodgers, the former Swansea boss feels that he is getting increasingly confident that Suarez will stay at the club by the end of the transfer window. The Reds are steadfast in their decision of not selling the star player to any rival Premier League club, unless any potential buyer meet up the £55 million valuation, the club has asked for.
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