Liverpool are reportedly looking to Lyon hotshot Alexandre Lacazette to solve their striker crisis, with a £20 million bid reportedly ready to launch—as Izzy Horsefield of the Daily Express writes.

The Reds have been haunted by the ghost of Luis Suarez this season, with the club’s misfiring strikers looking like costing them a place in next season’s Champions League.

However, manager Brendan Rodgers won’t want their return to this year’s European stage to be a fleeting fancy, and Lacazette may be the answer.

The French striker has scored 27 goals in just 31 league games this season—per WhoScored.com— with his pace, power and finishing ability causing nightmares for Ligue 1 defenders.

His style is similar to that of Barcelona’s Suarez, as he’s incredibly direct whenever he gets on the ball.

The best strikers in the world all have one thought in their mind when they’re out on the pitch: find a way to score.

Luckily for Lacazette, he finds a way more often than not.

Such dynamic ability in front of goal hasn’t gone unnoticed, either, and Liverpool will have to fight off competition from rivals Manchester United to secure the striker’s signature.

Plus, journalist John Smith believes that a £20 million bid won’t be enough to get the 23-year-old to Anfield, as Lyon are desperate to keep hold of their star man:

A big offer would be hard to turn down for the French club, though, and while other suitors may be in line for Lacazette, the Reds’ promise of regular first-team football will be a tempting lure.

His capture will once again give Rodgers a front two to strike fear into Premier League opposition, and Guillem Balague exclusively told Bleacher Report that’s exactly what he needs:

The Reds will undoubtedly be landing a striker or two in the upcoming transfer window, but it’s getting the right player in that’s of paramount importance.

Rickie Lambert wasn’t right, Mario Balotelli wasn’t right—is Lacazette the answer?

 

Mateo Kovacic

Inter Milan’s young sensation Mateo Kovacic has been at the heart of Liverpool’s transfer rumours of late, with a £7 million bid reportedly tabled by the Reds for his signature.

However, new developments have seen the Reds’ chances of landing the midfielder hit a wall, as Inter have demanded a much bigger fee for their star.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, via George Bellshaw of Metro, the Italian giants have told Liverpool to pay £16 million to secure the services of Kovacic.

However, it doesn’t look like the transfer is going to be as simple as that.

Earlier this year, Kovacic’s agent Nikky Vuksan dismissed all chances of his player leaving the San Siro—per Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express:

It is not going to happen. Mateo extended his contract with Inter in January. Could it be that clubs are negotiating? No, that is not possible without Mateo and me knowing about it. Also, I have a player at Liverpool, Dejan Lovren (so I would know about it). Both the English and Italian media speculate and find new clubs that want Kovacic every week. He’ll stay at Inter. Also, if there was something going on, believe me journalists would be the last to find out.

One journalist who does know a thing or two, however, is beIN Sports’ Tancredi Palmeri, who suggested that Liverpool would have to pay a lot more than £16 million to land the midfielder:

Seen as a replacement for Steven Gerrard in the heart of the side, Kovacic is enjoying an excellent season for Inter. However, at just 21 years of age, he still has a lot to learn.

Rodgers is undoubtedly a good manager to develop under, and if the Liverpool boss wants Kovacic, he should go all out to sign him.

A few talented players have slipped through the Reds’ fingers over the past few transfer windows, and if Rodgers doesn’t act fast and meet Inter’s demands, he can add Kovacic’s name to that list.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1ItV5ho
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J