Liverpool are reportedly interested in Croatia and Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic, a player who once worked with Anfield chief Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund. Yet the Reds will face strong competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal, as well as Primera Division giants Barcelona.

Spanish publication Sport (h/t Jonathan Green of the Daily Star) detailed Liverpool’s interest in the player, who is lighting up UEFA Euro 2016:

The 27-year-old is currently at Euro 2016 with Croatia and impressed for his country during the group stages.

And Catalan newspaper Sport claim the Reds have asked Inter about signing Perisic this summer.

The report says that Barcelona have identified Perisic as an alternative to Nolito, who appears set to join Manchester City, but face competition from Liverpool for his signature.

Green’s report also references some uneasy history between Perisic and Klopp. The player was critical of the German’s selection policy back in 2012, a critique Klopp understandably did not appreciate.

Yet if the two can let bygones be bygones, landing Perisic would a be a steal for Liverpool. It would first mean seeing off competition from Arsenal, though, with the Gunners linked to the 27-year-old by TalkSport.

Perisic has been in devastating form for the Vatreni at Euro 2016, scoring twice and providing an assist to help his nation reach the last 16, per UEFA’s official site. So it’s understandable he’d be courting this level of interest.

He’s a left-winger who displays the movement of a centre-forward, expertly timing his runs to regularly ghost into central positions and pose a significant scoring threat.

His fluid, perceptive style of play is ideally suited to the quick-breaking game Klopp favours.

Yet it seems as though Inter may not be forced into a sale this summer, according to Goal’s Nizaar Kinsella:

Sources close to the player have told Goal that a move this summer is consequently unlikely, despite Perisic’s ambition of one day playing in England.

Inter’s recent takeover by the Suning Holdings Group has strengthened their hand financially, with president Erick Thohir pouring cold water on the possibility of a sale in recent weeks.

Still, being able to tempt the Serie A club into a sale would be a major coup for Klopp, who needs a player with Perisic’s distinctive qualities in Liverpool’s attack next season.

 

Reds Want More for Joe Allen

Liverpool have rebuffed an £8 million bid for Joe Allen from the midfielder’s former club, Swansea City, per David Prentice of the Liverpool Echo, who also noted the Reds want closer to £15 million for the playmaker.

However, the Swans have so far been reluctant to meet that demand, per Prentice: “The Reds knocked back Swansea’s offer a week ago and Allen’s old club has not been back with an improved bid.”

This isn’t the first time the idea of Allen returning to his old club has been mooted. Earlier in June, Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins revealed his desire to bring Allen back, according to Kristian Walsh of the Liverpool Echo.

Allen has enhanced a flagging reputation with some sterling performances for Wales at Euro 2016. Often overshadowed by the exploits of star attractions Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, Allen has still earned the praise of his team-mates, per the Guardian‘s Stuart James.

Meanwhile, ESPN FC’s Dave Usher believes the midfielder, who only has one year left on his deal with the Reds, deserves first-team football next season.

That’s likelier to come away from Anfield, though. Allen is a steady type who takes care of the ball in a cautious manner, but he’s not dynamic or consistently forward-thinking enough for Klopp’s high-octane approach.

Receiving a double-digit fee for a player who cost £15 million four years ago and has rarely impressed at club level would be a huge boost for Liverpool’s summer transfer plans.

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