We were all disappointed to see Memphis Depay choose Manchester United over Liverpool this week. However, it’s worth remembering that a team with a record for throwing silly money around and with a manager who has a close personal connection to the player, were always likely to be the favourites to get a deal done.
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The transfer window has not even started yet and Brendan Rodgers has promised big things to look forward too, calling for ‘marquee signings’ in quotes taken by The Telegraph.
He said: “For fans and players it’s great to get those marquee players – and there are maybe one or two we need. The owners will support that. If they’re available and affordable within the model then we will look to get them in.”
In the list below we’ve put together an entire team of reported Liverpool transfer targets and discuss their potential availability. How many of these names would you actually want at Anfield, and how many are just uninspiring…?
GK) Neto (Fiorentina)
Source: Daily Express
The 25-year-old Brazilian is out of contract at the end of the season and is known to be available. He’s recently made it on to the international scene, although he’s still waiting on his debut. Could provide decent competition for Simon Mignolet.
RB) Martin Montoya (Barcelona)
With Glen Johnson out of contract and Jon Flanagan facing another season on the sidelines with injury, the Barcelona man could be the answer to our problems at full-back. The 24-year-old only plays a bit-part role with the La Liga giants and it would be interesting to see how he adapts to life in England. Talented, but probably overhyped as a result of the club he plays for.
Source: The Metro
CB) Rod Fanni (Marseille)
The experienced 33-year-old French international becomes a free agent at the end of the season. His versatility – he can play both on the right or in the middle – is appealing, and he could be the ideal replacement for Kolo Toure, should the Ivorian leave us when his deal comes to an end. Nothing to get too excited about, of course.
Source: The Guardian
CB) Kyriakos Papadopoulos (Schalke)
The 23-year-old is definitely the most exciting defensive target for Liverpool this summer. The Greek international has spent the season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen and the Reds could take advantage of the uncertainty surround his future by luring him to Merseyside.
Source: Daily Mirror
LB) Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United)
Cresswell has been one of the stars of West Ham’s season, having only joined Sam Allardyce’s side last summer from Ipswich Town. He’d provide strong competition for Alberto Moreno, who has played a lot of games this season due to the injuries to Flanagan and Jose Enrique.
Source: The Metro
DM) Yohan Cabaye (Paris Saint Germain)
The experienced midfielder is out of favour in the French capital and is looking for a move that will keep his dream of playing at Euro 2016 alive. He’d be a useful stop-gap solution to the loss of Steven Gerrard and would allow Rodgers to focus the majority of his budget on other areas of the team. Cabaye can create chances for attackers, and strike an awesome set-piece. Worth a punt, for the right price.
Source: Liverpool Echo
CM) Miralem Pjanic (AS Roma)
The Bosnian is the expensive alternative to Cabaye. The 25-year-old is the dream candidate for the playmaker role and would certainly bring an added dynamic to our current side. He’s scored 17 goals in 121 league games for Roma, helping fire them to consecutive second-place finishes.
Source: Daily Mail
CM) James Milner (Manchester City)
A free agent at the end of the season and a useful squad player to even the best sides. He’d be able to fill in on the right-hand side and would be the ideal candidate for our wing-back position. He’s even proved this season that he’s capable of playing through the middle as a central striker, but peaked at Aston Villa as a central midfielder. Do we give him another shot in his favourite position should he lower his wage demands…?
Source: Daily Mirror
RAM) Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
The England international has never realised his full potential during his time with the Gunners and maybe a move could help him come good. He’s shown plenty of flashes of what he’s capable of over the last decade and he’d surely benefit from playing regular first-team football. He’s a huge Liverpool supporter, which could ease negotiations should a fee ever get agreed.
Source: Sky Sports
LAM) Paul-Georges Ntep (Stade Rennais)
The apparent alternative to Depay. It certainly wasn’t a surprise to see rumours of his potential arrival come out just hours before Manchester United made their statement over the Dutchman… Ntep is a French youth team international who can play on either flank or up front. He’s done well in Ligue 1 this term, bagging nine goals in the process.
Source: L’Equipe
ST) Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
An exceptionally powerful striker who looks back to his best after missing the start of the season through injury. He’s scored 11 goals in his last nine games, with Tim Sherwood’s arrival as Villa boss helping him rediscover his best qualities. He’s strong, powerful and would be different to anything we already have – but would the Belgium giant suit Brendan Rodgers’ style of play? Arguably not – and perhaps definitely not for the mooted £30m.
Source: The Guardian
