Take it or leave it: Liverpool make final £25m bid for Lallana

Take it or leave it: Lallana could well be a Red before the World Cup

Brendan Rodgers is already making moves in the transfer window as he gets set for a crack at the Champions League, here's who they've been linked with on Saturday

Here's our round-up of all the transfer tittle-tattle from Anfield from Saturday's newspapers and across the web...

Rickie Lambert looks set to seal his fairytale move back to Liverpool in the coming days.

A £4m fee has now been agreed with the Southampton striker set for a medical later today.

Mirror Sport revealed the surprise deal on Thursday night and the 32-year-old could now be a Reds player as soon as Monday.

Moreno deal nears

Joining him at Anfield could well be Spanish defender Alberto Moreno .

The Reds have submitted a formal offer for the exciting left back that will total around £20m, consisting of a £15m fee, plus their young midfielder Suso.             

And his club Sevilla have indicated they are ready to do business, by paving the way for Moreno to talk terms before he departs to the United States next week, ahead of World Cup duty.

Moreno played for Spain in a friendly against Boliva last night on his home ground in Sevilla, and is due to fly out to Maryland for a training camp, before national team coach Vicente Del Bosque makes his final selection for Brazil.

The Reds hope to agree a deal in principle before then, paving the way for a real transfer coup, as they steal a march on the top Spanish clubs for a player rated as the future of the national team.    

Vorm not swanning off just yet

Michel Vorm has played down talk of a move to Liverpool, despite Lukasz Fabianski's arrival at Swansea.

Safe hands: Vorm insists he is happy to stay in Wales

The Pole will join the Swans when the transfer window opens on a free, but Vorm is content to stay and fight for his place.

"It may be that Swansea are already responding to my [reported] departure," he told Sky Sports News. "But then there must be [an offer]. As long as that is not the case, Fabianski and I will have to fight. I do not necessarily have to leave. 

"I didn't know they were planning to sign [Fabianski], I can honestly tell you. At Swansea City I can see the club is growing and there is competition for everyone, and that also applies to me. 

"Fabianski was a free agent, which I understood, and he has signed for four years and the present situation is that I will be there after the summer, so I have competition."

Saturday's Liverpool stories from other newspapers and websites

Take it or leave it

The Reds have made a final take it or leave it offer for Adam Lallana .

The BBC report the bid tabled is in the region of £25m with the Reds prepared to move on from the deal should it not be accepted.

Boss Brendan Rodgers is ready to move on to alternative targets should the Saints rebuff this final effort.

The 26-year-old played 73 minutes against Peru at Wembley on Friday night - the Reds are anxious to tie up any switch before the World Cup begins in a fortnight's time.

Southampton turned down a £20m bid for their captain earlier this month and remain keen to keep hold of one of their star men.

Chile source?

The Reds are ready to launch a £20m move for Barca star Alexis Sanchez .

Red hot: Sanchez's future is the subject of intense interest this summer

The Daily Star report that with Rodgers closing in on Lambert as his first summer signing he is now turning his attentions to the Chilean flyer.

The Catalan giants are determined to keep hold of the 25-year-old but Rodgers is ready to test their resolve with a hefty bid.

It is thought a considerable increase on his current £90,000 per week terms could swing a deal their way.

Pasto no go

One man who is unlikely to be running out at Anfield this season is Javier Pastore .

The PSG playmaker has been strongly linked with a move away from the French capital with the Reds known admirers.

But the Argentine's agent has moved quickly to quash such talk.

"There is no possibility that Pastore will return to Italy next season," Pastore's agent Marcelo Simonian told Tutto Mercato. 

"Pastore will remain 100 percent at Paris Saint-Germain."

Source: Mirror Sport

• By Ben Burrows

Is Yaya Toure Irreplaceable at Manchester City?

It's been a brilliant season for both Manchester City and Yaya Toure alike, while City clinched the Premier League title after shrugging Liverpool off, Yaya Toure claimed their Player of the Year award...

Continue Reading on EPLIndex.com »

Rickie Lambert to undergo Liverpool medical

Closing in: Rickie Lambert looks set to join boyhood club Liverpool

Liverpool have agreed a fee with Southampton for Rickie Lambert, with the striker set to undergo a medical this weekend.

As Mirror Sport revealed last night, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers was lining up a surprise swoop for the England man, as he looks to strengthen his squad for next season.

According to Press Association Sport, Liverpool will pay an initial £4million for the 32-year-old with the possibility of further add-ons.

Lambert is part of Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad and is expected to feature in the friendly against Peru tonight.

After the match at Wembley, he will travel to Merseyside and could be confirmed as a Liverpool player by Monday.

Source: Mirror Sport

• By Liam Prenderville

De Gea urges Fabregas to join him at Old

De Gea urges Fabregas to join him at Old Trafford

Red Devils stopper David de Gea has urged countryman Cesc Fabregas to leave Barcelona for United, reports the Express.

Former boss David Moyes tried and failed to land the Spanish midfielder last summer but his situation is said to have changed at the Nou Camp following Luis Enrique's arrival.

That has alerted Louis van Gaal and De Gea claims Fabregas would be the perfect acquisiton.

He said: "He is a top player, there are many clubs who want him. I have spoken to him to go to Manchester, but it will be complicated."

Source: Mirror Sport

By Liam Prenderville

Arsenal's Lukasz Fabianksi signs a four-year deal with Swansea

Arrival: Fabianski is Swansea's first piece of business this summer

Swansea have announced the signing of Lukasz Fabianski from Arsenal.

The 29-year-old has signed a four-year-deal after rejecting a contract offer at the Emirates, with the transfer going through on July 1.

Fabianski starred during the Gunners' FA Cup success and played his last game for the club in the dramatic 3-2 final win over Hull earlier this month.

He becomes Garry Monk's first signing since taking over the Swans on a permanent basis.

Fabianski's arrival raises question marks over the future of current No.1 Michel Vorm, who has continually been linked with Liverpool.

Source: Mirror Sport

• By Liam Prenderville

Can Heung-Min Son Turn into a Superstar at Liverpool?

Will Bayer Leverkusen left-forward Heung-Min Son elevate to the next level if he joined Liverpool? To cover that hypothetical, here is a scouting report on the 21-year-old South Korean international. 

Continue reading from Bleacher Report>>>

Samuel Eto'o eyes Arsenal transfer

Samuel Eto'o wants to join Arsenal this summer - to prove Jose Mourinho wrong.

Eto’o’s representatives have made overtures to Arsenal to alert them about the Cameroon striker’s availability as a free agent. They have made it clear that Eto’o wants to go to the Emirates and that is his number one priority.

Arsenal are keen to strengthen their strike force and are close to a deal for Real Madrid starlet Alvaro Morata but the Spanish giants are insisting on a buy-back clause.

But Arsenal will need more than one striker and Eto’o, 33, could be an option after he was left enraged by Mourinho’s comments earlier in the season when he questioned his age in damning remarks about his strikers.

Mourinho was filmed by TV cameras making comments suggesting that he thought Eto’o was older than he actually is.

The former Chelsea striker mocked Mourinho with a goal celebration after the off-the-record remarks but last week called the Blues boss a “fool” and a “puppet” in a renewed attack.

It is understood Chelsea wanted to keep Eto’o but he was determined to quit because he was so angry and disgusted by Mourinho’s remarks.

Eto’o has had lucrative offers from the MLS and also the Middle East but there is only one club in his mind and that is Arsenal.

Ex-Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Eto’o wants to stay in London but the biggest factor is that Arsenal would give him the platform to put two fingers up at Mourinho.

Arsenal do need to strengthen their strike force this season and Eto’o is convinced he can still do a job at the top level.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is on the trail of Morata, Loic Remy and is keeping tabs on other strikers but Eto’o could be another option, especially as Nicklas Bendtner left on a free which leaves them another man down.

Eto’o is available on a free and his extra incentive of trying to outsmart Mourinho would be a big driving force.

Source: Mirror Sport

• By John Cross

City face fight for Kolarov amid Monaco interest

Manchester City could be set for a fight to keep hold of Aleks Kolarov after he was linked with super-rich Monaco.

The Serbian has been a revelation at the Etihad Stadium, despite splitting playing time at left back with Gael Clichy.

He has spoken of his improvement last term under Manuel Pellegrini after his relationship with his predecessor, Roberto Mancini, soured.

Across all competitions Kolarov made 44 appearances and won over the Blues support who had been lukewarm towards him since his £19m switch from Lazio in 2010.

But his contract expires next season, and while City have opened talks over a new deal, reports in France claim the side from the principality, currently managerless, are lining him up.

Newspaper Le10Sport say Monaco, who recently sacked former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri, have opened talks with 28-year-old Kolarov as part of their plans to bring in more experience and challenge Paris St Germain for the French title.

Continue Reading on ManEveningNews.co.uk »

Why Signing Milner Makes Sense for Arsenal

Earlier this week, reports emerged courtesy of Matt Law of The Telegraph linking Manchester City and England midfielder James Milner with a move to Arsenal.

This was supplemented by the further claim that Arsene Wenger would utilise the 28-year-old as a replacement for departing right-back Bacary Sagna—a bizarre move from some angles, but it may be a canny one by the Frenchman.

Continue from Bleacher Report

Brendan Rodgers pledges future to Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers has committed his long-term future to Liverpool after being convinced he will be given the backing to return the club to greatness.

The Reds boss signed a new four-year contract worth in excess of £3.5million a season, allaying fans’ fears that Europe’s wealthiest teams would try to tempt him away with the promise of transfer riches.

Rodgers insisted he agreed the deal because he believes in the vision offered by Anfield’s American owners – and the promise of funds to achieve their dream.

“I came here because I felt this is one of the biggest clubs in the world and I want to be here as long as I can, playing a part in building and restoring a club to its greatness,” explained Rodgers. 

“I think we’ve really rediscovered the soul of Liverpool, and it’s so unique to be playing a part in that, in restoring the great ability this club has to make people dream and make them happy. 

“So I’ve absolutely no interest in being anywhere else. But I also needed to know it’s going to be right because I want to succeed. 

"I want to win and I need to know that if I’m going to be here I’m going to have the best possibility to win. 

“I need to know this is an idea and a way of working that’s set up to win; it’s not just to look good. And I need to know I can have players who can carry out the instructions that we want to work to win trophies.”

Owners John Henry and Tom Werner confirmed they have pledged support to help Liverpool take the final step back to the summit of the Premier League.

After a season which came so close to title glory, Henry and Werner said in a statement: “Brendan is at the heart of what we, as an ownership group, are trying to achieve on the pitch.

“This season has reaffirmed everyone’s belief we can bring football success to Liverpool and we are all committed to working together to achieve that. 

“We are very fortunate to have a hugely talented individual leading our football performance and in whom we place our trust to deliver the vision we share for Liverpool Football Club.”

And Rodgers revealed he has the finances to make an impact in the transfer market and land the kind of players to take the club forward.

A year ago Liverpool missed out on a number of top targets, including Willian, Diego Costa, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mohamed Salah.

But Rodgers believes it will be very different this time.

“I think the big lure will be Champions League, that’s what I’ve found in my conversations with agents and people,” he said.

Source: Mirror UK

• By David Maddock

Chelsea Have to Make Courtois No.1

Acquiring the services of a truly world-class goalkeeper can be one of the hardest tasks for any football manager, but Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has the unusual fortune of possessing two.

However, that blessing does create a different kind of headache altogether. With only one pair of gloves up for offer, it is almost impossible to keep two genuinely brilliant custodians happy.

The meteoric rise of Thibaut Courtois means that Mourinho now faces the dilemma of being forced to choose between the Belgian and current Chelsea No.1 Petr Cech for a place in the starting line-up for next season.

That choice simply has to be Courtois.

Courtois has enjoyed a fantastic three-year spell on loan at Spanish club Atletico Madrid, culminating in a phenomenal La Liga title success this season—the first Rojiblancos triumph since 1996.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper played an instrumental role as Atletico conceded just 26 league goals all season, which was the best record of any La Liga club by some distance. A string of fine displays saw Courtois (via ESPN) claim an incredible 20 clean sheets in just 37 appearances. Additionally, the on-loan shot-stopper helped the Madrid club to a first Champions League final in 40 years.

Although this season is the one that has elevated Courtois into worldwide fame, his entire three-year spell at the Vicente Calderon has been a major success. The young custodian has lifted silverware in each of those campaigns, while racking up in excess of 150 appearances in the Spanish capital.

Combined with a Belgian Pro League title, won in his final campaign with previous club Genk, Courtois already boasts a more decorated CV than most. Meanwhile, next month’s FIFA World Cup will also afford him the chance to further enhance his reputation as one of the sport’s best young talents.

Only a small number of goalkeepers are ready for top-level football at such a premature stage, but Courtois is definitely one of them and it would be seen as a major step backwards if he were to spend next season in the dugout.

Last week, per BBC Sport, Courtois opened up to BBC Radio Five Live about the situation and concluded that sitting on the bench would not be a viable option. The Belgian said:

"I have the biggest respect for Petr Cech. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world so I think putting him and me in the same team is not the healthiest thing in the world.

The two of us want to play everything. Nobody will be happy to play in only the League Cup or FA Cup."

After playing in a Champions League final and lifting a La Liga title within the last month, it is not hard to understand why Courtois would be reluctant to play second fiddle at Stamford Bridge.

If ever Mourinho needed proof of Courtois’ value, then he need look no further than the Champions League semi-final in which the young Belgian helped Atletico overcome his parent club in order to book their place in the final.

Over two legs, Courtois demonstrated a maturity and level of performance that verify his ability to play at the very top level—in spite of his tender age.

Source: Bleacher Report

By Liam Newman, Featured Columnist

Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Sebastian Giovinco, Wilfried Bony and More

Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool will use the upcoming summer transfer window to build upon an excellent 2013-14 Premier League campaign that saw the team rise back to the top of English football.

The squad is young and talented, but fresh blood will be needed to deal with the added strain of Champions League football.

Let's round up the latest transfer news coming out of Anfield.

Sebastian Giovinco

The Atomic Ant has failed to fit into Juventus' preferred 3-5-2 system and is widely expected to leave Turin during the summer, as his contract will expire next season. His agent, Andrea D'Amico, told Calcionews24.com interest in his client is high, as reported by The Express' Ben Jefferson:

"I am not surprised that Arsenal and Tottenham are being linked, considering the quality of Arsene Wenger's choices and the fine level of Tottenham's squad.

However, they are not the only clubs. Olympiakos, Monaco and Liverpool? There are many other teams, as Giovinco is appreciated everywhere.

Before anything we'll talk to Juventus and then we'll see."

The prototypical winger, fans have been waiting for the pint-sized Italian to make his mark for the Bianconeri, but Antonio Conte's continued reliance on the 3-5-2 has made that impossible. His form at Parma was promising, however, and his agent even claimed Barcelona were interested in the player in 2012, per Goal.com's Luis Mira.

Giovinco's performances for the Italian national team have been only marginally better than the ones he put in for Juventus, and, at the age of 27, one has to wonder whether the winger will ever live up to expectations.

He has always struggled with physical defenders and is known to have a bit of a short fuse, so the Premier League would seem like a bad fit.

The Italian international won't be interested in moving from one bench to another, and it would appear little more would be in store for him at Anfield. A move to Olympiacos or even Monaco would make more sense, so don't expect Rodgers to waste resources on the player.

Wilfried Bony

Swansea's Bony has been identified as a main target for Liverpool by Metro, who claim the Reds are ready to launch an £18million offer ahead of the upcoming World Cup:

Arsenal and Bayern Munich are monitoring his progress, but Liverpool are ready to move first by making a £18million offer.

According to reports, the bid will go in before the World Cup begins in Brazil, where Bony will be representing the Ivory Coast.

Swansea have previously dismissed claims that Bony could be sold, but the striker has made it clear he wants to play in the Champions League.

Bony only moved to Wales last season, but the Ivorian has made his desire to play Champions League football clear in recent weeks, via Mr Transfer News:

Though he scored on his Premier League debut, the player took some time to adapt following his move from the Eredivisie before showing his potential in the second part of the season, and his profile could open up Liverpool's offensive game tremendously.

His power and pace are tailor-made for a 4-3-3 system, and his ability would offer the Reds another dimension up front.

Fitting the forward into a team already containing Luis Suarez will be a challenge, but Rodgers' tactical insights and Suarez's versatility should lead to a quick solution that would benefit the Reds' offense greatly.

Liverpool will most likely have to overpay to pry the player away from Swansea, but the Welsh outfit don't have the resources to compete with a club headed for the Champions League. If the striker wants the move, a deal could be on the cards in the near future.

The German midfielder enjoyed quite the break-out season with Bayer Leverkusen, and The Telegraph's Chris Bascombe has learned Liverpool are ready to activate the player's buy-out clause this summer to stop Bayern Munich from recruiting the player through their own buy-back clause next season:

Emre Can

Liverpool are closing in on a £12 million deal for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can. Brendan Rodgers is hoping to secure Can as his first signing of an active summer in the transfer market.

Can, who plays for Germany under-21s but is of Turkish descent, has a clause in his contract that Liverpool are ready to activate and it is understood talks have advanced significantly in the last few days.

The 20-year-old moved to Leverkusen, formerly managed by ex-Liverpool captain Sami Hyypia, last season from Bayern Munich for just £4.5 million. Munich placed a buy-back clause of their own but that can not be activated until next summer.

Identifying Can’s potential, Liverpool believe the temptation to move to the Premier League and steal a march on the Bundesliga champions. That would represent quite a coup for Rodgers, recruiting a player tipped to be a future star of German football

Can is the perfect example of the modern German box-to-box midfielder, in a similar mold to Lars Bender or Bastian Schweinsteiger. Combining a strong work rate with solid vision, technique on the ball and an impressive physique, the sky could be the limit for the German under-21 international.

The main concern with Can is that most of his appeal at this point lies in his potential, not the finished product on the pitch. Jan Aage Fjortoft likes Can, but thinks there are better young options currently playing in the Bundesliga:

A strong presence in midfield is a need for Liverpool, but Can might not be able to fill that need immediately, as he will need time to grow into the player everybody hopes he can become.

The mark of a good manager is recognising talent, however, and if Rodgers thinks his potential is good enough to warrant a transfer bid, a £12 million move could prove to be a steal several years down the line.

Any move for Can would hold a certain risk, and the player may not be able to contribute right away. But, with the added funds of the Champions League and a clear need in the centre of the pitch, Liverpool can afford to take a chance on the Bayer Leverkusen star.

Source: Bleacher Report

By Gianni Verschueren, Featured Columnist 

Arsene Wenger Told He Can Break Mesut Ozil Record Fee

Arsene Wenger has been given permission to break Arsenal's transfer fee record for the second summer in succession just a year after the £42.5 million acquisition of Mesut Ozil.

The Gunners have become renowned for operating on a more stringent budget than those of their Premier League peers, but The Times (subscription required, h/t ESPN FC) quotes club director Lord Harris of Peckham as confirming that the Ozil fee could be beaten:

"[...] We would. It would be easy. I wouldn't say it [the total transfer budget] is 100 million pounds, I wouldn't say it's 50 million pounds and I wouldn't say it's 150 million pounds.

If Arsene has asked for any player then we have always backed him to go and buy. With the exception of [Lionel] Messi, [Cristiano] Ronaldo or [Gareth] Bale, we could buy most players."

The North Londoners are still revelling in the success of last weekend's FA Cup victory over Hull City, the club's first trophy in nine years.

However, last weekend the team watch on as Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid contend for the Champions League crown, the kind of heights at which Harris says he wants to see Arsenal competing:

We want to win the Premier League and the Champions League. If we buy two or three players then I think we can. We want to win. We don't want to be second, we don't want to be third and we don't want to be fourth. We will support Arsene with the players he wants to buy. He has always been encouraged to spend.

The FA Cup triumph undoubtedly helped both Wenger and Arsenal decide on the terms of his new deal with the club, too, which Sam Wallace of the Independent indicates will be a three-year extension, with Goal.com's Wayne Veysey adding it will be his last at the Emirates Stadium:

Ozil had an impressive maiden season among the English top flight after making the move from Real Madrid last summer, with Squawka stats displaying his 76 scoring chances created, 10 more than any other Arsenal player.

However, there's a lot to be said for some of the side's cheaper, longer-term investments who showed signs of coming good in their own regard, such as Olivier Giroud, Laurent Koscielny and, of course, Aaron Ramsey.

Those stars, and others in the squad, would have us believe that it's not necessary for massive amounts of money to be spent in order to garner success, something to which this season's Champions League finalists Aletico can attest.

Source: Bleacher Report

By Tom Sunderland  

Luis Suarez Injury Reinforces Liverpool's Need to Sign Quality Forward in Summer

Luis Suarez's World Cup dream is seemingly hanging in the balance somewhat after the Uruguayan forward picked up a knee injury and had to undergo surgery.

As per BBC Sport, the surgery to repair meniscus damage was a success and the Uruguayan football association hope he will be fit in time to take part in Brazil, with the tournament kick-off less than three weeks away.

While that's great news for his nation, and for the player himself, it doubles up the need for his club Liverpool to make sure they make the most of the summer and sign a top-quality attacker to help and, when necessary, step in for Suarez next season.

End of Season Form

Ask any Liverpool supporter and they'll rightly tell you Luis Suarez had a phenomenal 2013/14 campaign, where he jointly won the European Golden Shoe for scoring 31 goals and made a clean sweep of end-of-season awards domestically.

He noticeably, however, suffered a slight dip in form toward the end of the campaign, no doubt borne of the intense stress of the championship fight that Liverpool were involved in and his relentless style of training and playing. Suarez leaves nothing on the pitch; tiredness and dips in form at some point are an inevitability, even for him.

With Daniel Sturridge suffering a similar mini-dip around the same time, Liverpool's options to rest, rotate or swap players around were minimal; even with Fabio Borini probably returning to the squad, Liverpool need another attacking option of top quality who can contribute on a regular basis next season.

Surgery Issues

B/R's resident injury expert Will Carroll has underlined just why Suarez should be fine to compete at the World Cup, but also why Liverpool will have to perhaps tread carefully with the forward next season.

Increased games, increased stresses on the top players and surgery on their player that Liverpool have not presided over will all be concerns for Brendan Rodgers and his recruitment team to ponder over summer.

Quite possibly, the Reds will have to offer Suarez time to recuperate at different stages next season to ensure there are no long-term effects by the routine, but hurriedly decided, surgery. Again, in that case, they will have to be looking at bringing in an attacking player who can ensure the side can perform to the same level, even if it is not a direct Suarez replacement in tactical terms.

In other words, a very, very good attacking signing, and not Iago Aspas.

Champions League and All That It Brings

Having qualified for next season's group phase already, the Reds know they'll be bringing in a tonne of prize money and the lure of continental football they couldn't offer prospective recruits this time last summer.

That money needs to be wisely spent, being a finite resource and all, but it also needs to find a balance of players who bring depth to the squad and raise the quality of the starting XI. Not every signing can do both, which is something fans have to bear in mind.

By Karl Matchett , World Football Staff Writer

Source: Bleacher Report

Reds line up Mario Balotelli should Luis Suarez leave for Real Madrid?

Sunday's Liverpool stories from other newspapers and websites

Liverpool are reportedly set to go head-to-head with Arsenal in an ambitious swoop for AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli.

The Italian international is said to be unhappy with life in his homeland, and is keen on a switch back to England.

According to the Mail on Sunday, both the Reds and the Gunners are monitoring the situation.

The five-time European Cup winners have allegedly earmarked the mecurial Balotelli as a replacement should Luis Suarez leave for Real Madrid.

• By Paul Gorst

Source: Mirror Sport