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LFC Transfer Reports: Rodgers Eyeing Former Player, Coutinho Offer Improved

By Chris Eikrem on January 25, 2013

January Transfer Window Day 25

Here’s the latest LFC transfer rumours and reports.

thekop

Philippe Coutinho – From Inter

Liverpool have increased their offer for Inter’s Brazilian playmaker, from £6m to £8m. With Southampton reportedly offering £10m it remains to see whether this is sufficient or if FSG need to dig even deeper to get the nod from the Italians. The player reportedly prefers a move to Liverpool.

Read our Coutinho Scout Report

Ashley Williams – From Swansea

Speculation continues regarding defensive reinforcements, with the captain of Swansea and Wales being the latest name suggested. According to The Mirror, Brendan Rodgers is interested in signing his former pupil once the transfer embargo with his old club expires. He could however face competition from Arsene Wenger for the signature of the 28 year old, said to be valued at £8m.

Williams is undoubtedly a good player: He is strong in the challenge, comfortable playing the ball out of defense and possesses good leadership qualities. In theory he should be good cover for both Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger.

Some questions have to be asked though: Can he make the step up and have the same impact for a club aiming to get back into the Champions League? Is he good enough to provide serious competition for Skrtel? His age also makes any deal questionable. Not to mention his comments on Suarez recently.

Pinch of salt required with this one. LFC are much more likely to sign a younger centre back.

Marco Rojas – From Melbourne Victory

Liverpool and Juventus are said to have sent scouts to watch the 21 year old winger this weekend, as his team face Alessandro Del Piero’s Sydney FC. The New Zealand international of Chilean descent has scored ten goals in fifteen games in the Australian A League this season, and his development has not gone unnoticed.

His contract expires in three months, and Sky Sports suggest both clubs could place bids of around £500,000 if he manages to convince the visiting scouts.

However, Melbourne coach Ange Postecoglou is seemingly unaware of any serious interest for now:

“I’m in contact with his dad very regularly and at this stage we’re confident he’ll stay with us until the end of the season,” Postecoglou told Herald Sun.

“We’ve been in constant discussion with Marco and from our point of view we’re very happy with his form this season and how he’s developing and his development is a priority.

“At this stage we’re comfortable with how he’s going and where things are at.”

Tendayi Darikwa – From Chesterfield

Liverpool are said to be one of the clubs monitoring the 21 year old, who received the League Two Young Player of the Month award in December. According to TalkSport, Chesterfield chief executive Chris Turner says the club is willing to listen to offers for the promising winger:

“Tendayi is a fantastic talent and we would never stand in the way of a player from moving to a Premier League club.”

“A lot of top clubs have been tracking him for quite a while and it is no surprise – Tendayi is a player with exceptional potential who deserves to play at the very top.”

It would be nice to sign a young player from the lower leagues, as we did a lot in the seventies with Keegan, Clemence et al. The question though is whether the player can make the step up.

And the rest:

Gary Mellor, the agent of Birmingham’s goalkeeper Jack Butland, says the club should lower their asking price if they want to sell him this window.

The Metro claim Luis Suarez is Pep Guardiola’s main transfer target for his Bayern Munich project, and the German league leaders are prepared to test Liverpool with a £40m offer.

About Chris Eikrem

Chris is currently studying a masters degree in Sports Science and enjoys writing fiction as well as Liverpool. Following the Reds since the late eighties.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Bill-Ward/1467560966 Bill Ward

Can anyone tell me how FSG propose to obtain a work permit for this player? He has only played one game for his country, none of his family as far as I know have a UK or European citizenship.
- http://www.thisisanfield.com This Is Anfield
  
  I expect it would be granted, he made his international debut as a teenager so can be regarded as a talent in his field. Definitely would be approved on appeal.
ricklisle

According to reports in Gazzetta dello Sport today, Inter have accepted an offer of €10.2 million plus bonuses for Coutinho; the sticking point is that he wants to remain at Inter but failing that he would prefer to go to Liverpool. Inter have issued an ultimatum of 48 hours for Liverpool to up their offer or he’ll be off to Southampton.
Redblooded Male

I hope we get that kid from the A-League, he looks exciting. Plus Rojas means ‘red’ in Spanish, it’s his destiny!
Aussie Red

I’m from Melbourne and have had the pleasure of watching Rojas first hand. He is raw but special, and has taken teams apart this season. Excellent pace, fearless attack with the ball at his feet and generally quite clinical in front of goal. Premier league would be a massive step up but with the right tutelage he could make it
Psych

Not so sure about Ashley Williams…
Aussie Red

For those interested to know, Rojas scored a brace and tormented Allesandro Del Piero’s Sydney FC in a 3-1 win in front of one of LFC’s scouts. Absolutely dominated the pitch. The kid is a star in the making