Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini has insisted that Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic will remain at the club this summer, despite reported interest from Liverpool

As noted by Joe Rimmer of the Liverpool Echo, the Reds have been linked with a move for the playmaker in recent weeks. But as quoted in the aforementioned piece, speaking with Sky Sport Italia, the Nerazzurri boss has maintained the Croatia international is going nowhere.

“Kovacic will become a champion,” said the former Manchester City manager. “He is young, but has already improved a lot. I think he will stay at Inter. I don’t think there is anything going on with him regarding a transfer.”

Kovacic has long been rated as one of European football’s brightest young talents. He possesses a wonderful touch, an agile frame and supreme vision when picking passes. Needless to say, if Liverpool landed him, it would be a major coup.

As was evident in Croatia’s recent clash against Gilbratar, Kovacic is an inventive talent too, per Footy Accumulators:

It’s the kind of mercurial streak the Reds have been crying out for since the departure of Luis Suarez. While he and Kovacic are completely different players, the ability to conjure something from nothing, a few flashes from Philippe Coutinho aside, left Liverpool often looking one-dimensional in their forward forays in the 2014-15 campaign.

The Reds have already added to their midfield options by securing the signing of James Milner too. Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe took a look at how he’ll fit in:

Kovacic is a different type of midfielder, but with the quality to create magical moments, it’s little surprise Inter are keen on keeping him as they look to reestablish themselves as a force in Italian football.

If the Reds are eager, they may have to lodge a substantial bid to prise him away from the San Siro.

Carlos Tevez Bound for Atletico Madrid

Juventus striker Carlos Tevez looks poised to join Atletico Madrid this summer, with the Bianconeri’s director of football, Giuseppe Marotta, confirming the player is likely to leave. Liverpool had been strongly linked with the striker, per Marc Williams of the Daily Star.

Speaking to Sportmediaset (h/t Marca), Marotta revealed the recently finished season was probably Tevez’s final one in Turin and dropped a strong hint he’ll be on his way to the Rojiblancos:

There’s a good possibility that he’ll leave. I’m not going to put a percentage on it, but he is more likely to leave than Pirlo. He’s a professional we owe an awful lot to. We can’t stretch Tevez’s situation out much longer. We have to make a decision as soon as possible.

We have an outstanding relationship with Atletico, although we haven’t held talks. Maybe we’ll talk soon, depending on what Tevez decides.

As he has been throughout his career, Tevez is a bundle of energy at the point of the Juventus attack. His influence has been so important in Juve’s push towards the treble this season, channeling industry, intricacy and a raw incision into his displays.

For Atletico, who play a high-octane, ferocious brand of football, Tevez would be a perfect fit, as noted by sports journalist Jonas Giaever:

Liverpool would have been delighted to secure him too, you would suspect. But the prospect of linking up with compatriot Diego Simeone, sampling Champions League football and tackling the challenges posed by a new division are all factors more alluring than what the Reds could potentially provide at this juncture.

Martin Montoya Close to Transfer

According to the Daily Telegraph, Liverpool are “closing in” on the signing of Barcelona right-back Martin Montoya.

The defender is out of contract this summer with the Catalonians and has long been linked with a move to Merseyside. After the departure of Glen Johnson, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers needs to add some reinforcements in this area of the field, too.

Montoya’s chances of first-team football look bleak at the Camp Nou. After much deliberation, first-choice right-back Dani Alves agreed a new two-year deal to keep him at the club, while Sevilla’s versatile Aleix Vidal will also join Barcelona in January when their transfer sanctions are lifted.

It leaves Montoya, who struggled for appearances last season, facing an even bigger fight for minutes on the pitch and, as noted in the aforementioned piece, a move now looks inevitable.

Montoya would be a savvy signing for the Reds. While he’s hardly showcased his best as of late for Barcelona, he’s impressed in bursts when donning the Blaugrana colours.

A sustained spell in the first XI at Anfield would be the perfect opportunity to reestablish himself as a quality young player and help fill a major void in Liverpool’s squad.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1QqRd70
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J