Having already signed striker Rickie Lambert and with attacking midfielder Adam Lallana set to complete his move to Liverpool this weekend, The Reds are set to continue their summer spending with more attacking players.
Reports on Saturday claim that Liverpool are looking to sign Benfica’s Serbian winger Lazar Markovic and Belgium forward Divock Origi is also a deal which looks set to be completed – with the teenager staying at Lille on loan initially.
The Guardian write that Liverpool “are prepared to improve their attacking options for next season by making an offer for Benfica’s highly-rated Serbia international, Lazar Markovic, who has a £20m release clause, and the Belgium international forward Divock Origi.”
Markovic, 20, was previously a transfer target for Chelsea, but joined Benfica last summer from Partizan.
Liverpool moving rapidly in the transfer market. Deals for Origi & Lallana almost done and now a move for Benfica's Lazar Markovic too.
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarretTimes) June 27, 2014
#LFC believe it will take £25m to get Markovic but they are willing to pay it for the highly rated young Serbian winger.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) June 27, 2014
Brendan Rodgers is also linked with ongoing targets – Sevilla’s Alberto Moreno and Southampton‘s Dejan Lovren, as well as Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez.
With all the apparent spending at Anfield, there may be a fear that the money is spent ahead of a move away for Luis Suarez.
Initial reports after the ban this week all claimed FSG were keen to keep Suarez at Anfield, but that a bid of £80 million would be required to sell the forward, something that The Daily Mail reiterate.
However, there are contrasting reports on a supposed meeting between Liverpool officials and Suarez’s lawyer in Barcelona on Friday.
The Mail claim Suarez’s lawyer Alejandro Balbi was in Barcelona to discuss his client’s future, while The Guardian say that contrary to Balbi’s claims, Liverpool have instead been finalising a deal for Lallana.
The Independent also lead with Liverpool not allowing Suarez to leave for anything less than £80m, saying that “they have taken an executive decision that, for now, there is nothing they can do other than make sure they stand their ground on any potential sale of the player.”
They add that Liverpool have been unable to view FIFA’s documents relating to Suarez’s ban and that “the early indications are that the club will only be able to see the documents once the AUF [Uruguayan Football Association] has completed its appeal process.” Therefore, Liverpool have been unable to comment further after their initial short statement on Thursday.
Busy times at Anfield.
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