There may be no money left, for ticker tape, in John W. Henry’s bank account marked ‘Liverpool FC’ if Brendan Rodgers gets his way
The upturn in Liverpool’s league, if not cup, fortunes mean Rodgers is safe to spend and scout for his footballing revolution at Anfield. Several media outlets are linking the Reds with a host of top European prospects and expect the Northern Irishman to bring in at least one major signing before the transfer window closes.
The Daily Star are reporting Rodgers has trained his transfer sights on Hannover 96 midfield duo of Lars Stindl and Leonardo Bittencourt. 21-year-old Bittencourt has two goals in 14 Germany Under-21 appearances and played five times for Borussia Dortmund in 2012/13. The midfielder may yet be lured back to Dortmund but Liverpool could drop a £16m fly/transfer bid in the ointment.
As highlighted by SportsJOE on Wednesday, Ruben Neves of Porto and Portugal Under-21 fame has been targeted as a long-term centre-midfield option for the Merseyside club. Real Madrid and Juventus are also in the hunt for the £29m valued teenager [aged 17] labelled ‘the new Sergio Busquets’. One hopes that is for his tidy passing and defensive capabilities than a penchant for hitting the deck when struck by a feather. [Daily Express]
Real Madrid are now claiming they will allow David de Gea to see out the remaining 18 months of his Manchester United contract before swooping, in the summer of 2016, to bag the goalkeeper on a free transfer with a healthy sign-on fee and improved wages. [Daily Telegraph]
Elsewhere, The Telegraph also report Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor is on the verge of securing a loan move to Paris Saint Germain. West Ham are greedily seeking another brawny frontman and are attempting to lure Swansea’s Bafetimbi Gomis to London [The Sun]. The Swans, according to The Daily Mail, may offset Gomis’ departure by signing Blackburn forward Rudy Gestedes, who scored against them in their FA Cup exit at Ewood Park last weekend.
Steve Bruce has arrived at Old Trafford and will not stop revving the engine of his Peugeot 206 until he gets Manchester United Nick Powell. Jackson Martinez, the Premier League laments in unison, we hardly knew ye. The Porto striker’s agent has broken the news, to Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle fans, that he is off to Serie A instead.
