Iago Aspas All Set For Liverpool Move

Iago Aspas is set to complete his move to Liverpool today after undergoing a medical.

Celta Vigo forward Aspas, 25, has cancelled a Caribbean holiday to ensure the £7.2 million deal goes through this week and arrived on Merseyside last night.

He told Spanish sports paper Marca: "When I heard of Liverpool’s interest I did not hesitate even for a minute.

"(Liverpool) is one of the biggest clubs in the world and although I had offers from Italy and Portugal and other countries I decided my future was in English football.

"I hope I will get help from (Jose) Reina, Suso, Dani Pacheco, Luis Suarez, (Philippe) Coutinho, Lucas Leiva and Jose Enrique,' added Aspas.”I'm calm, but at the same time I'm very emotional about taking such an important step in my career."

Aspas is set to be joined at Anfield by Sevilla’s Luis Alberto who is expected to complete a £5m move by the end of the week.

United, City & Liverpool Set To Battle Over Di Maria

Premier League trio Manchester United, City and Liverpool are all set to make a move for Real Madrid star Angel Di Maria according to reports.

Madrid, who is currently without a manager, is unlikely to agree whether to accept or reject the bid until they appoint a new manager following the departure of Jose Mourinho.

But if they do, there will be a queue of clubs lining up for the 25-year-old Argentine international, according to the Daily Star.

Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco are the front-runners to sign him while Liverpool and Manchester United are also in the running.

Chelsea has also been linked with di Maria, who has claimed he's happy in Spain.

Liverpool Face Fight For Barcelona Defender

Liverpool will have to fend off interest from Bayer Leverkusen to seal a summer deal for Barcelona right-back Martin Montoya, according to reports from talkSPORT.

The Reds are said to be tracking the young Spaniard, as Brendan Rodgers goes about bolstering his defence in an attempt to build a squad capable of Champions League qualification.

Montoya is said to be high on his list of candidates, with the 22-year-old having impressed during his fleeting first-team opportunities with Barca.

The 22-year-old is currently behind Dani Alves in the pecking order at the Nou Camp, meaning that he rarely gets an opportunity to put together a decent run of performances.

The youngster has started just 14 league fixtures over the course of the last two years, a set of circumstances that has forced him to consider his options.

Rodgers is hopeful that by offering him a greater chance of regular action, he can tempt the Spanish U-21 international to move to Anfield.

But, he will have to battle Bayer Leverkusen, who is also keen.

The Germans’ ability to offer Montoya Champions League football could be a deal breaker, with the Reds not even in the Europa League next season.

Liverpool Boss Sets Sights On Spurs Playmaker

Liverpool is being linked with a summer move for Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson.

SportsDirect News claims Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is monitoring the Icelandic midfielder’s situation at White Hart Lane, and will ‘pounce’ if a transfer opportunity arises this summer.

Rodgers was close to bringing the player to Anfield last summer, but missed out on the 23-year-old when he opted for Spurs instead of Liverpool.

However, Sigurdsson has failed to hold down a regular place in the Tottenham Hotspur side, and the website claims the Reds will try to use this in their efforts to lure the player to Merseyside.

Rodgers has worked with the player previously of course, with Sigurdsson scoring seven goals in 19 appearances at the end of the 2011/12 season under the Northern Irishman.

And, with the Liverpool boss looking to add to his attacking options this summer following the arrivals of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge in January, the attacking midfielder could be next off the transfer wish list.

Liverpool Teen Target Plays Down Transfer Rumours

Liverpool transfer target Lucas Digne has played down rumours of a move away from Lille.

The 19-year-old full-back has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain in his homeland, and admits he’s flattered to be on the radar of the Ligue 1 champions.

However, he’s dismissed the transfer talk as nothing more than gossip, and insists he’s focused on producing his best for Les Bleus in the U20 World Cup.

"Obviously, I'm flattered, but I do not care for now. These are just rumours. I am focused on the U20 World Cup,” he told Le Parisien.

Liverpool has been showing an interest in the player since January, with manager Brendan Rodgers sending scouts to watch the player in action during the French season.

Digne didn’t disappoint, scoring three goals and picking up two assists in 44 appearances for Lille.

The teenage left-back would provide strong competition for Jose Enrique if Liverpool did manage to sign the player, and also continue the club’s policy of signing top youngsters.

Rodgers spent big to bring Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho to Anfield in January, but there are still plenty of hurdles for the Liverpool boss to overcome if he wants to add Digne to that list.

Suarez Irked By Irritating Manchester Fans

Luis Suarez has pointed the finger at Manchester fans for making his life with Liverpool a living hell.

The Uruguayan striker, who is understood to be seeking a move away from the Reds this summer, insists he and his family are being forced out of the Premier League by annoying rival fans.

Describing a recent incident in an interview with RR-Gol, he said: ‘About a week ago I was walking in a shopping centre near Manchester and three or four guys asked me for a photo. While we were posing for it my wife said to me “Luis, get out of the photo”.

‘She noticed they were making biting gestures. I was with my wife and my daughter. Things like that get on your nerves.

‘My wife was on the brink of tears and the blokes ran off laughing. You get tired of stuff like that.’

Another bone of contention was the severity of his eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra, in comparison with John Terry, who was given just a four match ban for a similar incident involving Anton Ferdinand.

‘Without any proof they gave me an eight match ban, but with Terry, where they had proof and lip-readers, they gave him four,’ he added.

Suarez, who has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, also spoke of his desire to link up with Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabeu, and once again lashed out at the English press for ‘unfair treatment’.

Agent: Reina Will Not Be Moving To Barcelona Or Napoli

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina will not be joining former boss Rafa Benitez at Napoli or moving to Spanish giants Barcelona, according to his agent.

Manuel Garcia Quilon insists the 30-year-old keeper sees his future at Anfield and does not want a transfer away from Liverpool.

The 30-year-old shot stopper has been linked with a move to the La Liga champions if Victor Valdes leaves as well as a reunion with Benitez at Napoli.

The former Reds boss is a big admirer of the Spaniard after signing him from Villarreal in 2005 for £6 million.

Speaking to tuttomercatoweb.com, agent Quilon said: "Reina has been clear in recent days his thoughts, his future is still at Liverpool.

"At the moment there are no chances for Napoli and Barcelona.

"Pepe considers Benitez a great coach but his future will still be at Anfield."

Skrtel's Agent Hints At Napoli Move

Martin Skrtel’s agent has hinted that the Liverpool centre-half would be interested in a move to Napoli.

The Serie A runners-up are managed by Rafael Benitez, the man who took Skrtel to Anfield in 2008.

Benitez is understood to be interested in bringing the 28-year-old Slovakian to Italy and is mulling over making an offer.

Skrtel's representative Karol Csonto told Italian radio station Radio Crc: "Obviously Napoli know Martin well but there cannot be any contact between us and them if they do not first reach an agreement with Liverpool."

Napoli and Liverpool haven't yet discussed a possible move for the defender that lost his place in the starting XI towards the end of this season.

A meeting with boss Brendan Rodgers to define Skrtel's future is expected to be held soon.

Csonto added: There has been no contact between the two clubs. Martin has a contract with Liverpool and it is important to honour that.

"I will be in England next week to talk with Liverpool and define Martin's future."

Lucas Advises Atlético Paranaense Youngsters

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has been sharing some advice with the youngsters of Atlético Paranaense.

The 26-year-old was invited to the Atlético Paranaense training ground to chat to the young players about how he made it as a professional footballer and to give them advice on how they can do the same.

Lucas left Grêmio in 2007 to move to the Premier League and join Liverpool where he has become a huge success.

He hoped the lecture would encourage the young hopefuls to follow in his footsteps.

He told the club’s official website: "I hope I’ve managed to share some of my experiences and they can understand football today is becoming more professional and requires increasing dedication and commitment."

Later, via Instagram, Lucas, who has made 20 appearances for the Seleção, thanked the club for the opportunity to inspire the young footballers.

He posted: "I would like to that Atlético-PR for the invitation to chat with the kids about my career from when I left home until the present day."

Fowler: Liverpool Must Keep 'World-Class' Suarez

Ex-Liverpool goalscorer Robbie Fowler is hoping Luis Suarez will be staying at Anfield for a long time, despite the Uruguayan's desire to leave.

Suarez has been a contentious figure throughout his time in the Premier League, and even though Fowler has condemned some of his previous actions, he believes Liverpool must do everything they can to prevent him from leaving.

The 26-year-old Uruguay international believes he has been "persecuted" by the British press, but Fowler insists his footballing skill heavily outweigh the controversies.

“He’s been on the record numerous times saying he doesn’t help himself,” Fowler said during the British Airways Football Legends Invitational tournament in Barbados.

“Rightly, we should be critical of some of the stuff he does, but let’s look at the footballing side of him.

“I’m not being biased when I say that, for me, he was the Premier League player of last year.”

Suarez has been linked to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in recent weeks, and says he feels like he has been forced out of the club following the infamous bite of Branislav Ivanovic in April.

But Fowler added: "Any side in the world with Luis Suarez is a better team, so I hope he stays at Liverpool a long time.

“You can understand why he’s linked with many sides over the world, because he is a world-class player.

“If he does go, it’s important that the money is spent wisely and you bring in a good amount of players.”

Real Madrid To Up Their Efforts To Sign Suarez

Real Madrid is ready to up the ante in their pursuit of Liverpool star Luis Suarez.

The Spanish giants were interested in signing strikers Edinson Cavani, Sergio Aguero and Radamel Falcao - but have missed out on all three.

Cavani looks likely to move to Chelsea, Aguero has penned a new City deal and Falcao agreed a £50m move to cash-rich Monaco.

And in that time, one of their key frontmen - Gonzalo Higuain - has said he wants to leave the Bernabeu.

According to sources in Spain, Madrid will now concentrate all their efforts on signing Uruguayan Kop idol Suarez.

Bringing in a striker is a must for managerless Real and Suarez is their main target.

Suarez and his advisors are understood to have agreed personal terms with Madrid but Liverpool are keen to keep hold of their prized asset.

Luis Alberto Reportedly Agrees Personal Terms With Liverpool

With few developments during the week other than the slight mix-up on the Iago Aspas deal, Liverpool's hot start to the transfer window has seemed to cool a bit. Which doesn't really make any sense given that the window doesn't even open for another few weeks, but I want all the signings NOW! So it's good news that the club might be headed in that direction very shortly with a name we discussed last week, with Mundo Deportivo (and the Google Translate Spanish to English button) reporting that Luis Alberto has agreed personal terms with Liverpool.

All that's left now is for the two clubs to agree on a fee, and so long as Barcelona don't exercise whatever sort of clause was available to them after they took the youngster on loan for their B squad this past season, the player looks to be Liverpool's. I haven't been able to find much about Barca's interest, but I'd imagine after the season he put together, they'd at least make some sort of effort to keep him around.

The deal with Liverpool is apparently for four years, and while he's not a player for now (or at least I don't think he is just yet), he's someone who's not far off of first-team football at the highest level. It'll be interesting to see how he's handled if and when he does arrive, as there's a host of young, attack-minded midfielders at the club who'll be fighting for places in the senior setup. That's not a bad thing, of course, and his presence will hopefully benefit both him and his new teammates.

Liverpool Could Steal Kone From Martinez

Wigan striker Arouna Kone could make a surprise move to Liverpool.

It had widely been expected that the Ivorian, who scored eleven goals in his debut season for the Latics, would follow manager Roberto Martinez to Everton, especially after Dave Whelan said that he would not stop Martinez moving for any player at Wigan.

However, Brendan Rodgers is ready to step in an steal the 29-year-old from under Martinez’s nose, according to the Mirror.

Sam Allardyce has also enquired about the forward as West Ham look to join the race to sign the striker.

Meanwhile, the player’s potential move to Merseyside would bring more tension at Swansea.

Michael Laudrup reportedly advised the Swans to meet the £6.5m release clause in Kone’s contract as soon as Wigan were relegated but Swansea have been slow to act.

The news could tip Laudrup out of the exit door. He has been frustrated at the board’s reluctance to follow up on any of his transfer targets this summer, and both Fenerbahce and PSG are tracking any developments.

The Dane was unconvincing in pledging his future to the club this week.

"I have always said that my intention was, and is, to stay at the club," he told the South Wales Evening Post.

"I think all the speculation regarding my future is due to the fact that there hasn't been any good news since we played our last game three weeks ago. We all need some good news.”

Toby Alderweireld Alerts Liverpool And Tottenham

Liverpool and Tottenham target Toby Alderweireld has admitted he would welcome a move to the Premier League.

The 24-year-old Ajax centre back looked set to reject the advances of the English duo and opt for a move to Serie A outfit Roma instead.

However, Alderweireld has now distanced himself from a switch to Italy insisting his future lies in either the Premier League or the Bundesliga.

‘England and Germany are the best leagues where I think I can take the next step,’ he said.

‘I have to go somewhere where I can play football a bit and where my style of play suits.

MORE: Who is Liverpool and Spurs target Toby Alderweireld

‘On the other hand, I do not want to play for a team at the bottom of their league. I want to leave Ajax for a nice club, otherwise I’ll just stay in Amsterdam.’

The Belgian defender has made 181 appearances for the Dutch side winning the Eredivisie three years running, as well as the KNVB Cup.

Liverpool has been linked with Alderwiereld for some time with the Reds apparently seeing him as an excellent replacement for the retired Jamie Carragher.

Tottenham are also keen after the success compatriot Jan Vertonghen enjoyed in his first season at White Hart Lane.

Liverpool Linked With Valencia Youngster Pedro Chirivella

With no transfer strategy seemingly in place last summer--and no scouts to identify talent or form that strategy--Liverpool were left scrambling, and while they eventually got one of their men in Daniel Sturridge, it was clear that this summer would be the one in which Brendan Rodgers and his staff would try to make their mark.

Bringing Kolo Toure in on a free doesn't really have anything to do with that; it's a free and he's experienced, and while the wages are still a concern for many, it's a signing for depth and nothing more. Liverpool's other activity, though, signals that the emphasis on building for the future with a mix of promising talent and others ready to challenge for a first-team spot now wasn't just lip service, and the emerging link to midfielder Pedro Chirivella seems to be another step in that direction.

I'd say I know next to nothing about Chirivella, but that'd be a lie, as I know absolutely nothing about him other than that he's been captain of the U16 Spanish side and is viewed as one of the better prospects in the Valencia youth setup. Apparently Barcelona and Manchester City have been among the sides trying to shoulder their way in to bring him aboard, but Liverpool are widely reported to be in top position to bring him in.

As with the interest back in May in Barca youngster Sergi Canos (who either has or hasn't signed for Liverpool), it remains to be seen what comes of a link that could turn out to be tenuous and/or not even really a thing. But to see the club vying for a talented youngster's signature--on the continent, no less--is encouraging enough, showing that they're willing to look elsewhere to strengthen the youth ranks and prepare themselves for the future.

That's not enough for this window, of course, and Liverpool still have plenty of work to do. Chirivella may yet be the next Sergio Busquets, but that's not good enough to cover for Lucas now, and there are still a handful of needs the club needs to meet before we can fully enjoy any of the foundations being laid right now.

Sporting Want More For Ilori

Sporting Lisbon sources have told Sky Sports they have rejected an initial offer from Liverpool for defender Tiago Ilori.

The Premier League side is understood to have been locked in talks with Sporting and reportedly had a delegation in Portugal over the weekend.

The Reds were willing to pay around £3million for Ilori, but Sporting are said to want a deal worth double that.

It is claimed that as part of the proposed deal Liverpool are offering Oussama Assaidi on loan, but as yet no agreement has been reached.

"The doors are open to negotiate, but for a just price," a source confirmed to Sky Sports.

"We are not disposed to sell any of our players this summer."

Sporting are currently not in the best shape financially, but it is believed they have offered Ilori a new contract.

Liverpool Want Mignolet To Replace Reina

Liverpool will step up efforts to sign Sunderland No 1 Simon Mignolet after mixed messages from current goalkeeper Pepe Reina about his own future.

Reina has been linked with a move back to his first club Barcelona and Belgian international Mignolet would be a cheaper replacement at £7million that Stoke’s impressive Asmir Begovic who is valued at £12million.

Reina has insisted speculation about his future is not a distraction but would only say he is committed to Liverpool ‘right now’.

Liverpool’s Pepe Reina has said he will only leave Liverpool this summer if there is an offer from Barcelona.

Reina said: ‘I have a contract at Liverpool and I feel valued there. They only reason I would plan to move elsewhere is if there was interest in me from Barcelona.’

The Spanish Champions want to sell Victor Valdes to Monaco this summer and bring in Reina. But Valdes wants to see out the last year of his contract at the Camp Nou so that he can pocket what would be a sizeable signing on fee next summer.

Liverpool FC Ready To Sell Sebastian Coates

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is willing to hear offers for defender Sebastian Coates, after concluding that his main task in the pre-season is to strengthen the team’s defence at both first team and squad level.

Events surrounding Luis Suarez mean he might also have to think about attack, but sources at the club say the priority is to improve on last season’s Premier League finish and the obvious weakness was in defence.

The 22-year-old Uruguayan is popular in the dressing room, but has struggled to win a place in a defence that has already been judged to be insufficient. The rapid signing of Kolo Toure was the first step in the strengthening policy and the same sources say that more strengthening in this area is certain.

Coates made 12 appearances last season and Rodgers has said he will sit down with the defender pre-season “and take it from there.” but the decision has been made that any reasonable offer will be accepted.

Coates joined Liverpool from Nacional in 2011 for a fee believed to be £7 million.

Raheem Stirling Backs Liverpool For Top Four

Raheem Sterling is confident that Brendan Rodgers can steer Liverpool back into the top four next season.

The Reds have been out of the Champions League since 2009-10 but 18-year-old Sterling believes the foundations laid by Rodgers last season mean the club will be back among Europe's elite sooner rather than later.

"We just need to get a good start to the next season and hopefully maintain that, and 100 per cent I think we've got a good chance of finishing in the top four," Sterling told the club's official website.

The Jamaican-born star made his England debut last November in a friendly against Sweden, but injury meant he sat out the end of 2012-13.

His aim for next season is simple, "For me at Liverpool, 100 per cent it's about cementing a starting place in the team, getting a good run of games and hopefully getting some goals for the club, and obviously assists as well," said Sterling.

"If I do that then hopefully I'll get a pick for the England squad."

He also continued to hail Rodgers saying, "I can't talk any more highly of him as a person, not just as a manager," he said of Rodgers.

"He's a top guy. He's one of those who isn't only interested if you're playing well at that moment. He looks at players who are not playing or young players.

"Liverpool should be really grateful they've got a manager like that."

Liverpool Face Three More Years Without Champions League

A senior Liverpool official admits that it may take three years for the club to return to Europe's top club competition and has urged fans to be patient.

Ian Ayre, the Reds' managing director, has acknowledged that coach Brendan Rodgers still need time to rebuild the side and that Liverpool supporters could have to wait as long as three years for Champions League football.

He is quoted on Goal.com as saying: "The expectation is to keep progressing and, of course, our ambition is to play in the Champions League. That's where everyone wants to be from the owners down," the executive explained.

"Our ambition is to get there," said Ayre, who was put in charge by the Anfield club's American owners in March 2011. "Whether we do that in one year, two years or three, we will see. That's where Liverpool should be."

After replacing Kenny Dalglish with Rodgers last summer, the Reds improved to finish seventh in the most recent Premier League campaign, following a significant shift to an expansive and less direct manner of play.

The Merseyside club, however, finished 28 points behind fierce rivals Manchester United. But Ayre added: "We made a big change a year ago with the ambition of getting Liverpool back where they should be at the top of football."

He explained: "We changed the manager, we changed the style of play and we changed some players. We said we wanted to build something here. Rome was not built in a day. If you could do it in one day, then everybody would do it.

It seems Brendan Rodgers will be given time to put his formula into place with the long term goal of getting the Merseyside club back into the Champions League.