Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will be looking to significantly strengthen his team this summer but reports suggest his rumoured pursuits of Alexandre Lacazette, Oscar and Pedro are likely to end fruitless.

Lyon striker Lacazette is the top scorer in Ligue 1 this season, netting 25 goals. He is one of the sharpest finishers on the continent right now but has admitted he will remain with Lyon if they continue to progress, per Le Progres (h/t Vaishali Bhardwaj of the Metro):

It is too early to speak about opportunities of leaving abroad. In any case, it will be a footballing decision. To go to Qatar next season, that doesn’t interest me. I would like to sign a contract extension. I am good at Lyon, and if I feel that the project will continue ]to] advance, I can see myself staying. Even if we don’t win the Champions League.

It’s likely Liverpool would also need to keep showing progress to interest the player. Rodgers’ men face a battle to secure Champions League qualification for a second successive year, so the club could be a hard sell.

Lacazette is a natural finisher and is just the striker needed to lead Rodgers’ line. His pace would create space for playmakers Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana to operate in, allowing them to grab hold of possession high up the pitch.

B/R UK’s Sam Tighe recently suggested Lacazette should be a priority signing:

Rodgers may be looking to strengthen his options behind the attack. Simon Jones of the MailOnline suggested Liverpool are “keeping tabs” on Chelsea midfielder Oscar, a player who has lost a little momentum at Stamford Bridge this season.

However, Oscar recently told Sky Sports‘ Saturday Night Football show—in an interview due to air prior to this weekend’s match between Chelsea and Manchester United—that he has no reason to leave:

I’m very happy here. I get along with everyone, and the club shows its praise towards me. Chelsea is one of the best clubs in the world, so I don’t see why I would think of leaving. I’m very happy with Chelsea’s season so far and happy with my own performance as well, but I do think I could have contributed more to the team.

Oscar offers the type of versatile, intricate football that makes Rodgers’ side tick. Like Lacazette, he’d be a major coup for the club, especially as Liverpool continue working toward becoming regular title challengers.

Barcelona winger Pedro is another name who has allegedly dealt Rodgers’ plans a blow after suggesting he wants to join Inter Milan, per Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport (h/t Charles Perrin of the Express).

“Pedro, they claim, told current incumbent Roberto Mancini of his desire to move to the San Siro,” noted Perrin. A fee of £12 million would allegedly see this deal completed for a player who has fallen behind Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in Barca’s pecking order this year.

Liverpool undoubtedly offer an attractive project, but after last season’s terrific form, this year is shaping up to be slightly underwhelming.

The Reds can still win the FA Cup and confirm a Champions League spot, though, so future prospects may suddenly look a lot brighter by the end of May. Such achievements may be key to luring players of Lacazette, Oscar and Pedro’s quality.

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