Asier Illarramendi, Stevan Jovetic and Rickie Lambert all feature among some more ludicrous links in our latest LFC transfer rumour round-up.
Wheel out the next helping of ludicrous Liverpool transfer links — the Reds have lost another game in embarrassing fashion.
After Saturday’s 3-1 turnover at the hands of Crystal Palace, in Steven Gerrard‘s last game at Anfield no less, the club desperately needed an exercise in positive PR, so how about some expectation-swelling transfer rumours?
Here are the latest links to clutter the Merseyside conveyor belt.
Rickie Lambert to Bournemouth?
It’s been more nightmare than dream for Rickie Lambert this season, with his £4 million move to his boyhood club representing an exercise in ill-judgement from all involved.
The striker hasn’t suited Brendan Rodgers’ system, and isn’t getting any younger at 33.
After turning down a move to Aston Villa in January, with Rodgers all but nudging him out of the Anfield exit at that point, a move this summer is likely. Up step, says Alex Crook of the Mirror, Eddie Howe and AFC Bournemouth.
“Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is looking for British-based players with Premier League experience to boost his side’s survival chances.
“Howe also believes Lambert could be the ideal strike partner for sprint king Callum Wilson, whose 23 goals fired the Cherries to the Championship title.”
This could be a goer, given Howe’s proclivity towards the British (sound familiar?), and the Cherries’ loan signing of Kenwyne Jones this season does point towards a place for a target man at the Goldsands Stadium next season.
Whether Lambert is happy to uproot his family once again, after finally moving home, is another matter entirely.
Stevan Jovetic for £12 million?
One out, one in? If Lambert is off this summer, Rodgers could turn to Manchester City striker Stevan Jovetic, according to the Mirror‘s John Cross.
Cross writes: “Liverpool boss Rodgers is launching a cut-price £12million bid for Montenegro international forward Jovetic, who will be allowed to leave the Etihad this summer.
On his day, Jovetic is an invaluable, Premier League-level striker, as his two-goal performance in Liverpool’s 3-1 loss to Manchester City in August attests—he is a quick, strong, skilful centre-forward, who would suit Rodgers’ attacking line well.
However, one of the likely reasons City are letting him go is his injury record. Jovetic is regularly dogged with injuries, much like our own Daniel Sturridge.
Do Liverpool need another injury-prone striker?
- Read more: Why Liverpool should target Steven Jovetic
Asier Illarramendi for £10 million?
The loss to Palace signalled the near-departure of Gerrard from Rodgers’ squad, and the end of a long-serving, loyal reign as Liverpool captain and star midfielder, a role which must be filled this summer.
So is Real Madrid’s Asier Illarramendi the right man?
Tom Hopkinson of the Sunday People tenuously claims that: “Brendan Rodgers’ Reds have been tracking the 25-year-old’s situation for some time and are ready to back up their interest with an offer of around £8.5million.
“Real are looking for closer to £10m plus add-ons, and have been contacted by other interested clubs.
“But it is Liverpool who are in the driving seat and they are keen to get the deal over the line in the coming weeks.”
Illarramendi is a top-class deep-lying playmaker, whose lack of appearances for Madrid since his £34 million arrival in 2013 belies his talent—Madrid just didn’t need to replace Xabi Alonso with such a costly signing.
Whether Rodgers truly needs a midfielder of his specification is up for debate, but Illarramendi is a talent worth pursuing.
Asmir Begovic to compete with Simon Mignolet?
Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has been quagmired under Mark Hughes of late, with the Bosnian reportedly not reacting well to the promotion of young English hopeful Jack Butland to the first-choice slot as the season nears its end.
Naturally, then, the 27-year-old has been linked with a move to Liverpool, along with Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid and all other clubs that are likely to sign a goalkeeper this summer.
David Anderson of the Mirror suggests that: “Stoke will listen to offers for £8million-rated Begovic if he does not sign a contract.”
There is no doubt that Simon Mignolet needs support between the sticks on Merseyside, with the departing Brad Jones offering little to no competition for the No. 1 spot, but is Begovic the right man?
Considering he’s already throwing tantrums at missing a couple of end-of-season games for Stoke, would he care for a rotational role at Anfield?
Dream on, Brendan.
The even more ridiculous end of the scale…
You can always rely on Metro to ply you with unlikely, expectation-laden transfer rumours, and there are some great ones this time around.
First up, word from Spain is relayed to suggest that Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Javier Pastore could be the subject of a “£14.5million bid from Liverpool.”
To plug the gap left by Gerrard, too, could be Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal, who “Liverpool can [sign] for a relatively poultry sum,” according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
If Vidal goes, why not Carlos Tevez too? Apparently: “Liverpool have made enquires about [the] Juventus striker.” Of course, there isn’t even a source for this one.
Elsewhere, AS suggest that Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal could be Rodgers’ next defensive signing.
So that’s a PSG regular, two players who are set to star in the Champions League final and Madrid’s first-choice right-back all set to join the Reds this summer.
Believe what you want to believe…
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Which of these LFC transfer rumours would you most like to be true? Let us know in the comments below.
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