Liverpool have been adding players at a staggering rate all summer, but according to the latest transfer rumours, the Reds had even bigger plans.

Inter Milan have reportedly turned down their approach for midfielder Mateo Kovacic, and it seems no deal will be made for the Croatia international.

According to Sport Mediaset (h/t the Daily Star‘s Jamie Anderson), Liverpool are unwilling to offer the Nerazzurri more than £15 million for his services, whereas the Italians are holding out for a fee of £21.3 million. Rumours that Liverpool had already agreed to personal terms with Kovacic also turned out to be false:

Some media outlets claimed Kovacic had agreed personal terms with Liverpool, however the player himself moved quickly to dismiss such talks.

He told Tuttosport: “There’s no need for us to talk, I recently renewed my contract.

“Now I’m thinking about my holidays. I only know that I’m due back at Appiano Gentile on July 5. That’s why I haven’t heard anyone (sic) from the club yet.”

The Reds have been remarkably busy ahead of the upcoming transfer window, with the Times‘ Tony Barrett reporting the club is talking to Southampton‘s Nathaniel Clyne just days after picking up Roberto Firmino. Both had been linked with the Reds for a while, but it’s still surprising to see the club move this quickly in order to secure them.

Bleacher Report’s Graham Ruthven sees Firmino as a potential replacement for Raheem Sterling, and similarly, Kovacic was viewed as a potential long-term replacement for Steven Gerrard:

The 21-year-old still has a lot of developing to do and suffered through a pedestrian campaign in 2014-15, but his potential is tantalising. He has more than held his own in Croatia’s star-studded midfield so far and projects as a top-level attacking midfielder in a couple of years.

WhoScored’s Cristiano Acconci thinks Inter’s recent transfer business means he would be in a position to succeed in the Italian fashion capital, providing the Nerazzurri can keep him there:

As reported by Sky Sports, Inter have been hit with sanctions for breaching UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations, and the arrival of Geoffrey Kondogbia will have to be offset with some departures.

Kovacic is seen as one of the players most likely to be sacrificed, given the fact manager Roberto Mancini didn’t trust him last season—even benching him on several occasions—and that the player himself holds plenty of value on the open market.

But if the Croat leaves Inter this summer, he will do so for a significant transfer fee, and £15 million just isn’t going to cut it. And if the Reds are unwilling to go any higher, as suggested by Anderson, that should bring an end to this particular transfer rumour.

 

Despite New Contract, Pedro Still Linked With Host of Clubs

Barcelona winger Pedro signed a new contract earlier this season after months of transfer speculation, but that isn’t stopping Mundo Deportivo (h/t Metro‘s Tom Olver) from linking him with a host of foreign suitors.

The Blaugrana youth product is well behind the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar in the pecking order, and according to Mundo Deportivo, a £18 million fee could still see him move. Liverpool are on the list of potential destinations, along with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.

The 27-year-old’s role diminished greatly after the arrival of Luis Suarez, and he’s set to see even less playing time due to the emergence of Munir El Haddadi and Adama Traore, who are both expected to play bigger roles next season.

Fans may point to Pedro’s new contract as a reason he won’t be leaving the club, but he wouldn’t be the first player to sign a new deal only to leave just months later. Mundo Deportivo isn’t the only Catalan newspaper considering the possibility―Sport‘s Lluis Miguelsanz suggested the player may actually prefer a move away from the Camp Nou:

The academy product renewed his contract a few week ago, but recent events have led to a decision. He has an important offer from PSG, where he has been assured he would start. He thinks he will have less opportunities at Camp Nou following the arrival of Aleix Vidal at Barcelona.

Of the clubs reportedly interested in his services, PSG should be considered favourites. Pedro would be an immediate upgrade over Lucas Moura and Ezequiel Lavezzi, all but guaranteeing him a starting position in the French capital.

Les Parisiens have massive funds, enough to easily facilitate the move and offer the winger an attractive wage deal, and given their need out wide, they would gladly overspend to secure their guy. Liverpool aren’t strapped for cash, but after a flurry of early signings, they simply can’t beat PSG on a financial level.

 

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