January Transfer Window Day 25
Here’s the latest LFC transfer rumours and reports.
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.
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.
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