28 Mar 2015 16:49:41
hi eds, i was wondering if you could provide updates on those transfer targets you listed earlier. thanks.

{Ed002's Note - There are some minor updates but much of this will change by the summer and there are major dependencies on (a) players leaving (b) how much money the club can raise through sales (remembering that Liverpool will be probably be looking to sell players by the end of June to offset FFP issues), (c) Champions League qualification, and (d) any change in senior management or the management structure. However, there is known to be (or have recently been) some level of interest in the following players:

GK: Ochoa, Neto, Sportiello (unconfirmed to some extent as Atalanta and the player heard about the interest from an Italian journalist), Romero, Ryan, Ruddy. The club have also looked at many others.
RB: Danilo (certainly won't happen). I am not sure what will happen to Wisdom. I suspect a new deal for Flanagan but if Manquillo and Johnson both leave then the club will look for a new RB. If Rodgers remains as manager it is not out of the question that Ibe may be tried in a wing back role. Alternative is that Manquillo stays and RB is no longer a priority. The likes of Adriano and Alves have been mentioned by agents as possible options but such players will be expensive and are unlikely to end in anything but tears. Folks, I assume because of something in the press, have been asking about Janmaat moving to Liverpool. I don't know of interest but I am pretty sure Newcastle would not want to sell.
CB: A new deal has been offered to Toure and he will be considering his options. I doubt a CB is a priority - at least not before the club clear out some of those already on the books (Skrtel, Lovren, Sakho, Ilori, Coates, Paez, Lloyd Jones and Kolo Touré).
MF: I understand from an ex-German international that Liverpool have watched Lars Stindl on more than one occasion this season but he has decided to reject the interest of Liverpool and will move to Borussia Mönchengladbach in the summer. Milner, Khedira (looking very, very, very unlikely), Pjanic (outrageously expensive) and Vazquez have all been looked at. Even though he has very recently extended his contract, Inter are willing to sell Kovacic and have spoken with Arsenal, Liverpool and Hertha Berlin. Nikky Vuskan has said there has not been any approach to him from any club at this time and that whilst Inter may be willing to sell the player, Kovacic wants to stay at the club. Filipe Anderson has been watched but nothing will happen with Liverpool.
F/W: Ings, Vietto, Gameiro, Baez (a WP would be an issue initially), Kishna (I understand that old interest has been rekindled but it is hard to see how he would fit in), Lacazette (not going to happen), have been looked at and Liverpool have also looked again at Firmino. Two other players the club were interested in - Bakkali (I suspect Liverpool have stepped back from their interest like many other clubs) and Andre Ayew (a free agent who Liverpool enquired about last summer - no obvious interest right now but it may return). If Sterling were to leave then a move for Walcott may be on the cards.

If Liverpool do qualify for the Champions League and if further funds can be made available through sales, it would not be out of the question for Liverpool to look to one of the following as an option:

GK: Cech
MF: Carvalho, Turan
F/W: Benzema

But these are not viable options just yet.

And who would be my choice of players who will be available?

GK: Handanovic
RB: Darmain
CB: Balanta - Caniggia wanted Liverpool to move for Balanta more than two years ago - and he has got better. Rogers ignored the advice. He shouldn't have done. If Liverpool need a CB
MF: Matuidi, Morgan Sanson
F/W: Mitrovic - I don't see a long term future for Lambert and Mitrovic would give Liverpool a very good option that they are missing right now. Rodgers will regret using the words "Origi" and "world-class" in the same sentence.

1.) 28 Mar 2015
28 Mar 2015 21:11:39
Very informative eds, is clyne a possible target for rb?

{Ed002's Note - No.}

2.) 29 Mar 2015
29 Mar 2015 03:49:14
If lucas does leave i think we need to go for Sanson. in fact even if lucas doesn't we should try to sign him. Sanson is a gem of a player who plays in a style that is missing in our midfield

3.) 04 Apr 2015
03 Apr 2015 21:36:43
My First Choices.

Antoine Griezmann
Asier Illaramhendi
William Carvallho

Others to consider:

Memphis Depay
Alex Song
Andre Ayew
Kevin De Bruyne
Lucas Moura
Isco
IKER Muniain
Mario Suarez
Simon Kjaer
Max Meyer
Julian Draxler
Kyriakos Pappadopolous
Martin Montoya
LUIZ Adriano