As the start of the summer transfer window edges ever closer, we round-up the latest rumoured ins and outs at Liverpool over the last few days.
With the 2014/15 season now feeling like a distant memory- at least that’s how Reds supporters are trying to treat it- focus turns to constant transfer speculation.
The addition of James Milner and Danny Ings, assuming a compensation offer is accepted by Burnley, represents a solid start to the summer for Liverpool, who must perform well in the market after last year’s disaster.
As is the norm at this time of year, there has been daily speculation over who may be leaving and arriving at Anfield in the coming weeks.
Here are the best of the recent rumours:
Man City bid for Raheem Sterling rejected
On Thursday evening news broke via various media outlets, including the Liverpool Echo, that Man City had seen a £30 million bid for Raheem Sterling turned down by Liverpool.
The Reds value the 20-year-old at £50 million, and it is believed that they will not budge until somebody meets their asking price.
Sterling’s future has been up in the air ever since he went rogue in April, conducting an ill-judged interview with the BBC, and it looks increasingly likely that he will not be a Liverpool player next season.
City, Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal have all been linked with the highly-rated England international in recent times, but as was the case with Luis Suarez back in 2013, FSG have shown they won’t budge easily.
Adam Bodgan nearly a Liverpool player
According to Kristian Walsh of the Echo, a deal for Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan could be sorted by the weekend.
It has become increasingly clear over the last few days that the 27-year-old is seen as the man to replace Brad Jones as Simon Mignolet‘s deputy at Anfield, and it is now all but a done deal.
Bogdan performed superbly for Bolton in their FA Cup clash with the Reds in January, keeping a clean-sheet in a 0-0 draw on Merseyside, and clearly caught the eye of Brendan Rodgers.
There is an argument to say that Liverpool could have done with bringing in a higher-profile name to heap the pressure on Mignolet, but Bodgan is certainly a clear upgrade on Jones.
UPDATE: Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Bogdan
Radamel Falcao to make shock move to Anfield?
When it comes to reliable transfer news, the Daily Star should never really be your first port of call, and they have come up with another pretty tenuous rumour on Friday.
The report claims that Liverpool are eyeing up former United man Radamel Falcao, hoping to steal in ahead of Chelsea for the 29-year-old’s signature.
With new strikers clearly high up on the list of priorities this summer, Rodgers reportedly sees the Colombia legend as someone to bolster his attacking options.
Although these rumours are not to be believed, a move for Falcao may not actually be as ridiculous as it sounds.
There can be no doubting that he had a disastrous time at Old Trafford, and that he is past his best, but he could still offer moments of genuine world-class quality in a squad role.
Martin Montoya set to be Liverpool’s next right-back?
The Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday that Barcelona right-back Martin Montoya could be on his way to Anfield in a £7 million move.
The 24-year-old has been linked with the Reds a number of times in the past, and with Glen Johnson no longer at the club and Jon Flanagan a long-term injury absentee, reinforcements are much-needed.
The Barcelona star has dropped further down the Camp Nou pecking order following the signing of Sevilla’s Aleix Vidal, while Dani Alves has also signed a new two-year deal with the Catalan giants.
Montoya would be a good signing by Liverpool, bringing strong defensive work and consistency that has been lacking in that area for several years.
The interest in Nathaniel Clyne appears to have cooled a little because of the Englishman’s price-tag, but Montoya would be an equally solid purchase.
End of the road for Fabio Borini?
We finish Friday’s round-up with Fabio Borini, who is set to quit Liverpool this summer following three years at the club, according to John Cross of the Mirror.
The 24-year-old has never nailed down a regular starting berth since joining from Roma for £10.4 million in 2012, and his agent has revealed that the end is nigh at Anfield for his client.
“We are analysing all offers to decide what is best for his future. He is unhappy because he has not played many minutes and that’s not good for his career,” said Marco De Marchi.
“At this moment we are not thinking about a new deal, because it would be negative for our objectives.”
Although Borini somehow stayed at Liverpool last summer, when the club clearly wanted to get rid of him, this time around it really does feel as though he will move on.
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