Liverpool have put Lucas Leiva up for sale after eight years of loyal service, but many fans disappointed by the news will be excited after hearing about our targets to replace the Brazilian…
According to Dave Maddock in the Mirror, a respected journalist, Brendan Rodgers and the transfer committee have earmarked Real Madrid’s Spaniard Asier Illarramendi and Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho.
Maddock reckons that Lucas is expected to move to Italy, and Liverpool will ramp up a move for one of the aforementioned replacements.
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Illarramendi is available for £12m, says the report, which seems like a serious bargain if true. The Echo reckon we’re looking to get £8m for Lucas, and if we got both of those deals done at said prices most fans would be pleased.
Carvalho is the more exciting of the linked players, as his performances at this summer’s Euro Under-21 championship have seen him rated as one of the most promising young midfielders in world football. He’s physically outstanding and perfectly suited to Premier League football. He is injured for three months though, which would make signing him before the transfer window closes difficult.
If Lucas does leave, Carvalho and Illarra seem viable alternatives. Both would demand first-team football though, which with James Milner and Jordan Henderson seemingly guaranteed starting spots, and Emre Can knocking loudly on the door, would be difficult to ensure.
Jordan Chamberlain – @Jordan_AC90 – Editor of Empire of the Kop