After more misses than hits last summer, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has to get it right during this year’s transfer window.

Having already agreed a contract to snap up ex-Manchester City midfield ace James Milner, per BBC Sport, Rodgers is reportedly close to wrapping up a potential £18.1 million deal for Inter Milan playmaker Mateo Kovacic.

A report from Croatian publication Vercenji List (h/t Metro writer Will Giles) indicates the Reds have even “agreed personal terms” with the player.

But any confirmation of a deal seems a long way off, with Giles also claiming Inter are “holding out for a fee in the region of £18.1 million,” which is above Liverpool’s initial £15.2 million bid.

Links between the Anfield club and mercurial schemer Kovacic have persisted ever since the calendar flipped the page to go from 2014 to ’15. Back in March, the Telegraph suggested Liverpool were prepared to offer £23 million for the gifted 21-year-old.

But the player’s agent, Nikky Vuksan, quickly dampened that speculation during an interview with Vercenji List (h/t Goal.com‘s Harry Sherlock): “It is not going to happen. Mateo extended his contract with Inter in January.”

But not even that strong a denial has slowed the momentum of these rumours. A month after Vuksan’s claim, Italian publication Tuttosport (h/t Daily Star‘s Jamie Anderson) suggested Rodgers would swap Brazilian holding midfielder Lucas Leiva for Kovacic.

Anderson claimed Inter want “additional funds to bridge the gap between themselves and Juventus.”

Perhaps the only thing clear about this rumour is Kovacic’s talent. He’s exceptional in possession, thanks to a mix of quick feet and close control, along with stylish and accurate distribution.

Rodgers might even see him as less a natural No. 10 and more a deep-lying playmaker. He could envisage a possible transition similar to the one made by Santi Cazorla at Arsenal, as an attacking midfielder who drops deeper to dictate passing.

Such a switch would help make sense of Liverpool’s interest. After all, it’s not as if the current squad is short of attacking midfielders. Rodgers can already count on Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic.

Of course, the latter two hardly wowed the crowds during their debut campaigns at Anfield. Lallana struggled to stay healthy, while Markovic rarely gained Rodgers’ confidence.

As a young technician, Kovacic is certainly in the mold of players the Reds’ gaffer has favoured during his time in charge.

 

Liverpool Close to Adam Bogdan Free Transfer

One smart freebie clearly isn’t enough for Rodgers. He wants to follow the pending acquisition of Milner with a free transfer swoop for Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Adam Bogdan.

In fact, Mark Ogden of the Telegraph believes Liverpool will complete a deal to sign the Hungarian stopper at the “end of this month.” He also references Bogdan telling Hungarian outlet Nemzeti Sport he could switch clubs in the “next week or two.”

Ogden states Rodgers views the 27-year-old Championship ‘keeper as “cover for first-choice Simon Mignolet.” Bogdan may be more than that.

He certainly has the talent to supplant Mignolet after the Belgian endured a rough season between the sticks. Bogdan has been more than solid for a number of years now, but he really showcased his talent during Bolton’s visit to Anfield in this season’s FA Cup fourth round, according to Liverpool Echo reporter James Pearce:

Bogdan stole the show at Anfield as the Reds struggled to break down Bolton in their goalless draw in January’s FA Cup tie – although praise was, perhaps, a little over the top with Liverpool generally poor in front of goal. Did make a terrific save from Fabio Borini, however…

Like Milner, Bogdan would represent smart business. Liverpool can add a player with the ability to improve a vital area of the team without having to pay a transfer fee.

As for the potential big-money deal for Kovacic, Rodgers must decide if his fondness for the player justifies adding yet another creative midfielder to the ranks.

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