10.12.2011, easy Credit Stadion, Nuernberg, GER, 1.FBL, 1. FC Nürnberg/ Nuernberg vs TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, im Bild:Timmy Simons (Nuernberg #2) im Zweikampf mit Roberto Firmino (Hoffenheim #22). // during the Match GER, 1.FBL, 1. FC Nürnberg/ Nuernberg vs TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on 2011/12/10, easy Credit Stadion, Nuernberg, Germany..EXPA Pictures © 2011, PhotoCredit: EXPA/ nph/ Will..***** ATTENTION - OUT OF GER, CRO *****

Tuesday’s LFC Transfer Roundup: Reds closing in on 2 major signings?

As the start of the summer transfer window edges ever closer, we take a look at the latest Liverpool FC transfer reports.

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Liverpool certainly aren’t hanging around so far this summer, with James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan and Joe Gomez already signed, and others expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

There have been numerous reports suggesting various players are on their way to Anfield over the last few days. We bring you the best of the rumours.

Roberto Firmino

10.12.2011, easy Credit Stadion, Nuernberg, GER, 1.FBL, 1. FC Nürnberg/ Nuernberg vs TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, im Bild:Timmy Simons (Nuernberg #2) im Zweikampf mit Roberto Firmino (Hoffenheim #22). // during the Match GER, 1.FBL, 1. FC Nürnberg/ Nuernberg vs TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on 2011/12/10, easy Credit Stadion, Nuernberg, Germany..EXPA Pictures © 2011, PhotoCredit: EXPA/ nph/ Will..***** ATTENTION - OUT OF GER, CRO *****

According to reliable Brazilian news outlet Globoesporte, Liverpool are on the cusp of signing Roberto Firmino on a five-year deal.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent weeks, but until now, Man United always appeared to be the most likely to snap him up.

It is reported that the prodigiously gifted Brazil international is seen as the perfect replacement for Raheem Sterling, who looks set to join Man City this summer. More on that later.

It would be a huge transfer coup if the Reds did manage to pull of the signing of Firmino, but as with Mateo Kovacic, until the British press report it, don’t see it as a done deal.

Raheem Sterling

STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2015: Liverpool's Raheem Sterling runs out to face Stoke City during the Premier League match at the Britannia Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The Daily Mail reports that Sterling has returned from his holiday in Ibiza on a private jet, with City preparing a huge £50 million offer for him.

The 20-year-old’s future has been up in the air ever since his cringeworthy interview with the BBC back in April, and the Etihad still looks his most likely destination next season.

The two-time Premier League winners may have claimed they would make no more bids for the Englishman, after their £40 million offer was rejected last week, but that feels more like mind games than anything.

City clearly see Sterling as one of their key transfer targets this summer, and it appears likely Liverpool will accept their next bid, seeing as it will meet their valuation of the player.

Major overhaul by Rodgers

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 17, 2014: Liverpool's Javier Manquillo in action against Southampton during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is planning on getting rid of up to eight players this summer, according to David Maddock of the Mirror.

The 42-year-old Ulsterman reportedly wants to offload Spanish trio Javier Manquillo, Jose Enrique and Luis Alberto, all of whom are deemed surplus to requirements in 2015/16 and beyond.

Fabio Borini is another who is not needed, with Fiorentina, Lazio and Sunderland linked with buying the £10 million-rated striker, while his compatriot Mario Balotelli will also leave, preferably on a permanent deal.

Sebastian Coates will likely join Sunderland in a £4 million deal, while Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Iago Aspas and Brad Jones have all already moved on.

Maddock also mentions that Lucas Leiva, Andre Wisdom and Lazar Markovic could even leave too if the right offer came along, but they all appear more likely to remain on Merseyside.

Alexandre Lacazette

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According to the less reliable Metro, Liverpool have been given fresh hope in their pursuit of lethal Lyon and France striker Alexandre Lacazette.

Although signing the 24-year-old Frenchman would represent a wonderful piece of business by the club, the report is one of the most tenuous you could wish to find.

Lacazette’s agent, David Venditelli, claims that, “Ultimatums and media pressure (from Lyon) won’t change our demands, which OL are aware of.

“The offers we’ve had from abroad are very significant in terms of finances, but they don’t give all the guarantees Alexandre will flourish with just a year to go till the Euros.”

Not once is there any mention whatsoever of Liverpool, and despite Venditelli’s fears over playing time, it remains fairly obvious that Lacazette will end up at a club playing Champions League football next season. We can but dream.

Asier Illarramendi

Illarramendi

Spain and Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi is another top class player reportedly on the Reds’ radar, and Spanish publication Marca believe they have tabled an offer of £16 million for his services.

It is believed los Blancos are willing to accept the bid, with the 25-year-old unlikely to oust the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric as a regular in the middle of the park in the near future.

Illarramendi would be a great addition at Anfield, and although perhaps not quite as naturally talented, he is not dissimilar to Xabi Alonso in style.

Terrific on the ball and a good defensive reader of the game, the former Real Sociedad star is exactly what Liverpool are missing in a deep-lying midfield role. [td_ad_box spot_id=“custom_ad_3″]

Aymen Abdennour

Foreign sources are not always to be believed, and French publication Foot Mercato are reporting that Liverpool are keen on signing Monaco centre-back Aymen Abdennour.

The 25-year-old’s representative, Abdelkader Jilani, has confirmed that several clubs including the Reds have shown a definite interest in his client.

“There are clubs who have approached us and who will enter into contact with Monaco,” he said.

“There is AC Milan, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Liverpool. Juventus, they’ve already seen Monaco. I don’t think that Monaco will prevent Abdennour from leaving.”

Once again, there is not too much substance to the story, and it seems hard to see Liverpool being able to attract the Tunisia star to the club ahead of both of last season’s Champions League finalists.

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