Liverpool news and rumour round-up: Wednesday’s biggest stories for the Reds…
Liverpool keeping tabs on ‘the new Sergio Busquets’
Liverpool’s scouts were watching 17-year-old Porto midfielder Ruben Neves over the weekend, after the youngster was compared favourably to Barcelona and Spain star Sergio Busquets.
The Portuguese youth international has already broken into his club’s first-team, playing nine times and scoring once in the league. He’s also featured seven times in cup games, five of which came in Europe.
Porto teammate and former Barcelona star Cristian Tello said: “He is fantastic with the ball at his feet, he knows how to position himself and he’s aggressive. He’s similar to Sergio Busquets.”
SEE MORE:
LFC news
Five things we learned from Liverpool defeat to Chelsea, including Mignolet, Balotelli and more
Liverpool player ratings vs Chelsea
Arsenal starlet Chuba Akpom could make Reds switch
As we reported yesterday, Liverpool are interested in recruiting Arsenal’s 19-year-old striker Chuba Akpom, should he choose to leave the Emirates Stadium when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Gunners have offered one of their prize prospects a new three-year contract to remain in North London, but the player remains undecided as he seeks further first-team opportunities.
Liverpool would love to add to their striking prowess, with Brendan Rodgers likely to launch a total revamp of his attacking options come the summer transfer window.
Ezequiel Lavezzi the only potential ‘major’ signing
This one just refuses to go away and while Brendan Rodgers has insisted that any transfers are unlikely during the current window, the Kop boss continues to be linked with the PSG wide-man.
The Daily Express is the latest to claim a move is imminent, with the price quoted at £14m. The Argentine has been out of favour with the French champions in recent weeks, but there has been no movement on a transfer thus far.
Lavezzi’s rather high-profile bust up with manager Laurent Blanc cast his future in Paris into doubt earlier this month, while Rodgers is thought to be a long term admirer of the World Cup finalist.
Real Madrid back in for Sterling as contract saga rumbles on
Raheem Sterling has still not signed his new contract at Liverpool and that means that the media are continuing to link him with a move away from Anfield, most notably to Real Madrid.
The Daily Star are at it this time, claiming that the European Champions are ready to pay £50m to secure the 20-year-old’s signature. Chelsea are also interested onlookers.
However, the tabloid does at least admit that any move is only likely to come in the summer, rather than in the final few days of the winter window.
Mixed fortunes for Rodgers as he targets two young stars
Valencia starlet Paco Alcacer, 21, is preparing to sign a new five-year contract at the club, ending any hopes of Liverpool signing the young striker in the near future.
Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers will continue to pursue Birmingham City’s Demarai Gray, who has continued to light up the Championship in recent months with a series of impressive performances.
Red Bull Salzburg are the latest team to show an interest in the player, but it is understood that Liverpool have first option to buy, at least according to reports in the Metro.
