Liverpool have reportedly approached Inter Milan with a transfer offer for young midfielder Mateo Kovacic, according to the Mirror‘s David Maddock.

The Croatia international is expected to leave Inter during the summer transfer window, and per Maddock, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers and Co. are ready to pounce:

Classy Kovacic, 21, would cost around £15million from Inter Milan and is a potential replacement for skipper Gerrard, who plays his final match in front of the Kop on Saturday before a summer move to America.

The Reds’ manager Brendan Rodgers accepts it would be impossible to find a straight replacement for the talismanic Gerrard, but plans to recruit both a defensive-minded midfielder and a goal-scoring one, to provide the qualities his captain is famous for.

The 21-year-old arrived in Serie A amid much fanfare and looked impressive in his first outings for the Nerazzurri, translating his fine club form into a spot in Croatia’s national team.

Fans shouldn’t get carried away just yet, though. Maddock paints a picture of a “classy” player, but Kovacic has regressed tremendously in 2014-15 and has spent more time on the bench than in Roberto Mancini’s starting XI, via Gianlucadimarzio.com’s David Amoyal:

The playmaker has plenty of talent, but most of his current value lies in his potential, not production. Kovacic often shows flashes of greatness but can be lazy in tracking back and careless in possession.

He’s looked better in recent weeks and is playing regular football again, via Amoyal, but Inter still appear willing to cash in:

The Nerazzurri have sunk toward mediocrity in Serie A in recent years, and the fact they seem willing to sell one of their brightest young talents should worry scouts and evaluators.

On top of that, beIN SPORTS’ Tancredi Palmeri doesn’t expect the Croation to be available at a bargain price:

Kovacic‘s talent is still intact, and for the right price, an interested club like Liverpool could be signing a massive steal with the potential to develop into a classy player. But unlike Philippe Coutinho, who joined the Reds from Inter in 2013, Kovacic is a far riskier prospect who has so far failed to live up to expectations.

Much will depend on Inter’s asking price and the eventual fee it will take to bring Kovacic to the club, but at a cost north of £20 million, per Palmeri, it’s hard to designate any move for the 21-year-old as good value.

 

Iago Aspas Reveals Sevilla Clause, Will Not Return to Liverpool

Iago Aspas has told reporters he won’t be returning to Liverpool, as his loan deal with Sevilla reportedly includes an obligatory clause to make his transfer permanent during the summer. As reported by The Telegraph‘s Chris Bascombe, he said:

I came here on a loan deal with an obligatory option to buy. I am a Sevilla player for next season. I will sit down and talk to the club in the coming days, or when the season ends. But, well, it is an open secret that everyone knew. The transfer [fee] is to be paid this summer. I am very happy at Sevilla, they received me with open arms, and I hope to keep paying them back for many years.

Aspas joined Liverpool from Celta Vigo in 2013 but did close to nothing during his first season in Anfield, and his acquisition soon became something of a running joke.

Even Anfield Chat joined in on the fun when it became clear the Spaniard would not be returning during the summer:

Incredibly enough, he has found moderate success with new club Sevilla, who completed a loan deal for the forward in the summer of 2014. He was instrumental in Sevilla‘s draw with former club Celta Vigo on Sunday, leading to some fantastic banter from AS English:

Aspas‘ confession he was aware of the clause that would see his loan deal become a permanent one hardly comes as a surprise. It was clear from the beginning that the forward simply didn’t fit at Anfield, and last year’s loan deal was a clear indication a permanent move was imminent.

His sale should help bring in more attacking help during the summer, and hopefully for the Reds, whoever joins will have more of an impact than Aspas ever did.

 

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