Liverpool‘s latest transfer rumours focus on movement in midfield. Brazilian anchor man Lucas Leiva could be headed for the exit, while the Reds might ask him to leave the door ajar for AS Roma‘s technical wizard Miralem Pjanic.

Beginning with Leiva, the 28-year-old is reportedly being eyed up by Serie A side Inter Milan. Daily Mirror reporter David Maddock suggests Inter will pay £7 million to secure a permanent deal.

That’s a figure Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers has to seriously consider. When everybody’s fit, he has little need for Lucas.

That reality is reflected by how little Rodgers has used the one-time Gremio man this season. Lucas has made just 14 appearances in all competitions, per WhoScored.com.

Lucas’ battling qualities and physicality can provide balance in a midfield mostly populated with small and slight schemers. However, the Brazilian just seems to lack the necessary technical guile Rodgers covets for his quick-paced and fluid brand of football.

However, Chris Bascombe of the Telegraph believes Rodgers may still be tempted to keep Lucas a little while longer. Bascombe has cited the difficulty of signing a replacement during the January transfer window as a major stumbling block.

Yet Rodgers hardly needs a replacement. After all, his midfield is already amply stocked.

He still has veteran deep-lying playmaker Steven Gerrard, at least until the end of the season. Rodgers can also call on tireless runner Jordan Henderson.

But his most intriguing option might be Emre Can. The former Bayer 04 Leverkusen bruiser has the rugged qualities Lucas can offer the Liverpool midfield.

Can just needs to stay fit and receive more playing time. Along with Gerrard and Henderson, Can will offer credible support for attacking midfielders Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and Lazar Markovic.

One player who would add even more craft and flair to Liverpool’s midfield is Pjanic. The Reds are being linked with an ambitious bid for Roma’s chief creative force, per Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Mirror reporter Aaron Flanagan).

The Italian source credits Liverpool with a possible £30 million bid. That’s a hefty sum even for a player of Pjanic’s talent.

However, this could be a swoop with Gerrard’s exit in mind. The club’s skipper will leave this summer.

Filling the void will certainly be tough for Liverpool, but Pjanic is an interesting target. He won’t ever offer the power and drive Gerrard displayed during his peak years.

But the mercurial 24-year-old is an artist in possession. He boasts skill, close control and excellent vision. Like Gerrard, Pjanic is also deadly from set pieces and has a real flair for spectacular goals.

Luring him from Italian shores will be tough, though, especially before the end of the season. But it would represent a massive coup if Rodgers could pull this deal off.

However, Norwich City‘s young star Nathan Redmond seems like a more realistic immediate target. Liverpool maintain a strong interest in the £10 million-rated winger, according to Mail Online writer Joe Bernstein.

He states Redmond is seen as a great replacement for flop loanee Oussama Assaidi, currently floundering with Stoke City. Redmond certainly has the pace and trickery Rodgers loves to release from wide areas.

This isn’t the first time a winter bid from Liverpool has been mooted. Back in late November, Daily Star reporter Paul Hetherington suggested Rodgers was intent on a £10 million move.

He may finally be ready to get his man.

Rodgers still has enough numbers and talent in midfield to let Lucas go. Unfortunately, he’s unlikely to be able to tempt Pjanic to Anfield just yet.

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