da brwin： According to The Express, Liverpool are planning a shock move for Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia. The Ecuador international has struggled for form over the past few seasons and it’s believed he could be scrapped by incoming manager Louis van Gaal as part of a huge shake-up at Old Trafford.
da casino： Brendan Rodgers is reportedly a keen admirer of the 28 year-old, all the more so for his ability to play at right-back and right midfield, having made the call for ‘multi-purpose’ signings on Merseyside earlier this summer.
The two clubs haven’t directly dealt in the transfer market for 50 years, with Phil Chisnall the last player to move between the ferocious rivals. But valued at just £8million, Valencia could be worth crossing that boundary for.
However, with Liverpool welcoming Champions League football back to Anfield or the first time since 2010 next season, it’s unlikely the United winger will be Brendan Rodgers’ final purchase of the summer.
With that in mind, here’s a list of SIX transfer targets who could follow the Ecuadorian’s lead, some inspired by his arrival, others more coincidental.
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JEFFERSON MONTERO
Antonio Valencia could soon find himself joined at Anfield by countryman Jefferson Montero, who has been linked with a variety of Premier League clubs this summer ranging from Arsenal to West Ham.
The Morelia winger was excellent for Ecuador against Switzerland last weekend, dazzling throughout and finishing up with these promising offensive statistics, courtesy of whoscored.com…
Here’s an example of the 24 year-old’s fancy footwork from a prior friendly against the Netherlands…
…and an example of his audacity in the final third…
Montero has been rated at just £4million by Mirror Football, and although he may not exactly be a world-beater, he could prove to be a smart addition to the Anfield roster.
MARCOS ROJO
With Liverpool’s move for Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno reportedly hitting the buffers…
…The Metro believe the Merseysiders have turned their attentions to Argentina international Marcos Rojo, whom they’ve allegedly been monitoring for the best part of 18 months.
The 24 year-old is a classy and confident footballer, typified by this ‘Rabona’ clearance in his own penalty box against Bosnia on Sunday…
Capable of playing at centre-back or left-back and valued by Mirror Football at just £10million, the 6 foot 2 South American could prove to be an astute addition for the Reds.
Here’s some of Rojo’s best moments for Argentina and current club Sporting Lisbon…
//www.youtube.com/embed/9-B_tmW6-_o
SAMI KHEDIRA
The word on the street is that the Reds are currently leading the race to sign Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira…
…fending off interest from Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea in the process.
Liverpool’s midfield lacked a defensive element last season and the German international would be a perfect remedy, being currently regarded as one of Europe’s top ball-winning midfielders.
This fancy flick-on would go down pretty well at Anfield…
As would Mrs. Khedira…
//www.youtube.com/embed/7tT4Y1rZwKg
Real Madrid appear happy enough to sell, ruling the 27 year-old surplus to requirements. But having already splashed out £10million on Emre Can, Brendan Rodgers may feel other targets will have to take priority.
ALEXIS SANCHEZ
Amid the Anfield side’s desperate need for some added quality out wide, it’s believed Liverpool are plotting a bid for Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez.
The Chile international has been in strong form this season to find 21 goals and 15 assists in all competitions, including this wonder-strike against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League…
//www.youtube.com/embed/REmlUllpLKk?autoplay=1&loop=1&playlist= REmlUllpLKk
But the feeling at the Nou Camp is that the 25 year-old hasn’t progressed as expected following his move from Udinese in 2011, and with Barca planning a summer of wholesale changes, it’s believed Sanchez is about to be thrown on the scrapheap.
He’d certainly be an impressive addition for Liverpool. Here’s a collection of the South American’s best goals during his Catalonia tenure…
//www.youtube.com/embed/73zskaCNbrw
But Arsenal, Manchester United and Juventus have been strongly linked too, and the Express claim any deal to bring Sanchez to Merseyside will most likely be a consequence of Luis Suarez moving the other way…
ADAM LALLANA
According to the Liverpool Echo, the Reds are preparing a final bid to try and prize Southampton’s Adam Lallana away from St. Mary’s, in what is proving to be one of the longest transfer sagas of the summer.
The ever-accurate Daily Star saw fit to produce this atrocious headline as a result…
The Metro’s assessment of the situation fairs a little differently (and less stupidly)…
Liverpool’s well documented interest in the attacking midfielder comes off the back of a sensational Premier League campaign which saw him claim nine goals and six assists in 38 appearances. Here are some of Lallana’s highlights…
//www.youtube.com/embed/qStY1aQlJRU
The England international’s fluid playmaking style would certainly suit Liverpool’s progressive brand of football, and his versatility also meets Brendan Rodgers’ self-imposed requirement for multipurpose signings this summer.
But Southampton appear determined to squeeze every penny possible out of Liverpool, which accordingly could see Brendan Rodgers source like-minded alternatives.
DEJAN LOVREN
Another Southampton star known to be on the Anfield radar is centre-back Dejan Lovren.
The Croatia international joined the South Coast outfit from Lyon last summer and has since proved to be a major coup. A near eternal presence in their backline, the Saints finished the season with the fifth-best goals conceded record in the Premier League.
The 24 year-old’s individual performances were equally impressive, with his 2.7 interceptions per match only bettered by three Premier League centre-backs…
Offering relative pace, comfort on the ball, an astute reading of the game and dominance in the air, Lovren is an incredibly impressive, complete defender, as demonstrated in the video below…
//www.youtube.com/embed/dzENWWAoIlU
The former Zagreb star has handed in a formal transfer request…
…suggesting a Merseyside arrival is likely this summer. But that would most likely take a £15million fee.