Transfer talk: Liverpool in hot pursuit of highly rated Inter Milan wonderkid

It looks like Brendan Rodgers has already begun the process of rebuilding his squad ahead of next season.

Liverpool have made an offer of €18m for Inter Milan youngster Mateo Kovacic, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The 21-year-old Croatian midfielder has had an impressive season in Serie A, which saw him nail down a regular spot in Inter's starting XI. Kovacic picked up five goals and two assists in the league this campaign and featured in six of their Europa League clashes. The Reds reportedly had a €10.4m bid turned down earlier this month, but Gazzetta are claiming that Inter could be willing to part with the hot shot for a fee of around €24m. It appears that Liverpool have wasted no time in bidding for Southampton defender Nathaniel Clyne. The Express claim that the Reds have had a €12.5m offer for the player turned down by the Saints, but that surely won't dissuade the Reds from firing back with a bigger offer. Especially considering that a 75-year-old Kolo Toure will be among their defensive options for next season. Tim Sherwood admitted he's powerless to stop Chritian Benteke from leaving Aston Villa, if the striker wishes to depart the club. The gilet enthusiast reckons the Belgian forward wants to stay put but admitted clubs will be allowed to talk to him if they can meet his €45m buy-out clause, so the BBC reports.

"There's a buy-out clause in his contract so it will be impossible for us to stop him if he wants to go." "Someone's got to meet that buy-out clause and if they don't it won't be considered because we don't want to lose him." "Everyone has it. Most players would have it when they sign new contracts."

Arsenal are getting dangerously close to adding another striker to bolster their attack. Wenger is reportedly already in talks with Porto regarding a possible transfer for Jackson Martinez.  The Express say that the Gunners are ready to trigger a €38m release clause written into the striker's contract to bring him to the Emirates. Porto president Nuno Pinto da Costa said they hope Martinez remains a Porto player next year, but, like Sherwood, he addmitted they are powerless to stop him leaving if Arsenal meet the buy-out clause. Kevin Wimmer to Tottenham Hotspur is a done deal. The 22-year-old completed his move to Spurs after his impressive performances in his debut season in the Bundesliga. The 22-year-old made 32 appearances this campaign for Cologne, and is set to join up with the North Londoners next month after signing a five-year deal. https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/604195622128861184