Liverpool‘s bid to sign Fiorentina midfielder Mario Suarez has reportedly received a boost, as La Viola have identified a replacement in AA Gent’s Sven Kums. A January transfer seems likely for the former Atletico Madrid man.

Per Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Daily Star‘s Jamie Anderson), Fiorentina want £6 million for Suarez, who joined the club during the summer but has failed to nail down a starting berth. Per Calciomercato.com (via Anderson), his agent has already confirmed there’s plenty of interest in his services.

Per WhoScored.com, Fiorentina have mainly used the 28-year-old in the Europa League, where he has made quite the impression:

A dependable ball-winner with great passing range, Suarez played a key role in Atletico’s emergence under manager Diego Simeone, and he was one of the driving forces behind the club’s run to the La Liga title in 2013-14.

He lost his starting position to the duo of Tiago Mendes and Gabi, which prompted the move to Florence. Unfortunately, he’s run into a similar problem, as Milan Badelj and Matias Vecino have a stranglehold on the central midfield slots.

The Spain international is likely desperate to move in an attempt to find more playing time and guarantee his spot in La Roja’s Euro 2016 squad. At his best, he remains one of the team’s greatest ball-winners, as you can see below:

Whether Liverpool would be the right fit for Suarez is another matter. The Reds could use another depth option in midfield, and Suarez would be an excellent signing, but it’s hard to see any scenario in which the Spaniard’s playing time would actually improve at Anfield.

The whole reason there’s transfer buzz surrounding Suarez is his lack of minutes―it would make little sense for him to move to Liverpool, who arguably have even more talent in the midfield area than Fiorentina.

Suarez is a fine player with a healthy work rate on the pitch, and he’s the kind of midfielder manager Jurgen Klopp loves to work with. If he’s willing to accept a role as a depth option, a January move would be a smart idea―although it’s not likely.

It’s worth mentioning Gent’s Kums will be all but off limits in January, further complicating a deal.

 

Roberto Mancini Denies Andrea Ranocchia Transfer Request

As reported by Kristian Walsh of the Liverpool Echo, Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini has shot down speculation defender Andrea Ranocchia may have requested a transfer, saying: “No player has come to me and asked for a transfer, including Ranocchia.”

The Italian is reportedly a target for the Reds, per Walsh, and according to Sky Sports’ Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have opened talks with the Nerazzurri:

Liverpool have been hit by a wave of defensive injuries, and the Reds are desperate for depth heading into the second half of the season. With few star defenders available, an experienced centre-back with some upside is likely to join the club in January.

The 27-year-old was once regarded as one of Italy’s best young emerging defenders, forming a partnership with Leonardo Bonucci while the two were at Bari. Bonucci lived up to his potential and is currently a star with Juventus―Ranocchia failed to take the next step and is a bench player for Inter.

The former Inter captain isn’t a bad player by any means, but Mancini clearly didn’t trust the centre-back, which is why he took away his captain’s armband and invested in several defenders, including Jeison Murillo and Miranda―perhaps the most in-form defensive duo in Serie A.

Ranocchia is smart, strong in the air and capable on the ball, and while he isn’t the strongest or most physical centre-back in the world, he should be able to adapt to the Premier League. Here’s a look at some of his highlights:

Fans may not get too excited at the thought of signing a player who can’t even make Inter’s starting XI, but there aren’t that many talented centre-backs currently available on the market. Ranocchia is experienced, still fairly young and relatively cheap―you can’t ask for much more in the January transfer window.

 

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