Liverpool have been linked with moves for two more European stars on Thursday, but it’s fair to say the rumours are tenuous to say the least.
If there’s one thing we know about the constant transfer rumours that affect Liverpool, it’s that many are complete hokum.
Two classic examples of this have arisen in the last 24 hours, with Liverpool loosely tipped to make attempts to sign Ratja Nainggolan and Mario Mandzukic.
According to the Metro, a particularly contentious source for transfer news, Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur thinks Nainggolan could move to Anfield this summer.
The 26-year-old Roma star has enjoyed an extremely impressive first season in the Italian capital, since joining from Cagliari last summer.
The combative midfielder is exactly what the Reds are crying out for in many ways, but it’s hard to see any truth in these reports for now.
Terreur took to his twitter account (@HLNinEngeland) on Wednesday, claiming: “Radja Nainggolan is for sale, as AS Roma can’t afford a permanent move. Cagliari and Roma, co-owners, hope to get at least £29m.”
That tweet has since been deleted, which immediately looks suspicious, and had absolutely no mention of Liverpool anyway. The Metro’s calculator continues to make two plus two equal five.
Equally tenuous is the Metro claiming the Reds are set to bring Atletico Madrid striker Mandzukic to Merseyside at the end of the season.
They cite “reports in Spain”, but don’t say which publication or where so the trail goes cold.
The Metro claim that Mandzukic “is one of Brendan Rodgers’ favourite players”, but offers no quotes whatsoever from the Liverpool manager to back up that claim.
It is widely known that the 28-year-old and Atletico boss Diego Simeone have not seen eye to eye at times this season, via reliable sources such as Sky Sports‘ Spanish football expert Terry Gibson, but that does not mean he has his sights set on Liverpool.
The Croatia international is seen as one of Europe’s best target men, and there would surely be plenty of Champions League clubs lining up for his signature should he leave.
Of course, both of these rumours will now be regurgitated by all the mainstream newspapers, kidding fans into thinking they have credibility. Sadly, they don’t.
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