Liverpool Agree Deal For Sevilla Star

Liverpool has agreed a deal to sign Sevilla star Luis Alberto for a fee of £6.8m, according to reports in Spain.

Brendan Rodgers has been linked with a move for the 20-year-old for a number of days and the two clubs have now reached an agreement over the fee.

According to Estadio Deportivo, Liverpool will pay £6.8m (€8m) up front, with up to £1.7m (€2m) in variables.

It is thought that Alberto is keen on the move, and he is set to become their second signing of the summer after Kolo Toure, although moves for Iago Aspas and Simon Mignolet are rumoured to be close to completion.

Reds Looking To Land Cissokho

Left-back Aly Cissokho has long been linked with a move to England and TalkSPORT are reporting that Liverpool might be the club to finally make it happen.

The U.K. based radio station quote the defender as saying: "In the second part of the season I don't have as much playing time, unlike the first.

"Are English clubs my future? I am proud that my name is matched with these clubs but I'm fine here. I just hope to play more.

"Liverpool? I have never hidden that the Premier League is the league that attracts me the most. It's pleasing to see my name linked to that of the Reds. They're a great club, and not just anyone can wear that shirt. For now, however it is just rumours."

The French international, who is of Senegalese decent, currently plies his trade in La Liga for Valencia after joining the Spaniards from Lyon last summer.

After a bright start to life at the Mestalla, Cissokho fell out of favour during the second half of last season and now it appears he could be on the move again.

The 25-year-old originally made his name during a brief spell at Porto in 2009 where he won a league and cup double.

A €15million move to Milan was then agreed before the player failed a medical and subsequently joined Lyon instead.

Back in France, Cissokho made in excess of 125 appearances during three full seasons before making the move to Spain.

At the time, Liverpool's Merseyside neighbours Everton were heavily linked with the player as a possible replacement for Leighton Baines but, thankfully for the Toffees, Baines eventually remained at Goodison Park despite the overtures of Manchester United.

Online speculation puts Cissokho's current market value at around the £7million mark.

Liverpool Interested In Balazs Dzsudzsak

Liverpool has re-ignited their interest in highly-rated Dynamo Moscow winger Balazs Dzsudzsak, according to the Hungarian's agent.

The 26-year-old was a €19million signing for the Russian side in January 2012 when he joined from Anzhi Makhachkala and is contracted until the end of 2015.

This hasn't stopped the Reds and Inter Milan in enquiring about his availability says his agent Jozef Vorosbaranyi.

"Numerous clubs made an approach including Internazionale and Liverpool, but I can't say more concrete things," Vorosbaranyi told fcinter1908.

"Balazs didn't ask the club to let him go because he feels good at the team and has a good partnership with coach Dan Petrescu. But anything can happen."

Dzsudzsak scored five goals and provided ten assists in 27 league games last season and previously had a four-year spell at PSV Eindhoven where he was rated as one of the best wingers in the Eredivisie.

He is thought to be valued at around €12million and is the latest player to be linked with the Reds as Brendan Rodgers looks to re-shape his squad as Luis Suarez's departure edges nearer.

Liverpool Encouraged In Their Pursuit Of Belgian Star

Liverpool has been encouraged in their pursuit of Ajax's Toby Alderweireld after the defender’s father admitted they had failed to agree terms with Bayer Leverkusen.

The Reds are keen on the 24-year-old Belgian international, but the Germans thought they were in pole position to sign him after entering into initial talks, but it appears the player was unhappy with the wages on offer.

His father and representative, Vic Alderweireld, told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: "The proposal [from Leverkusen] was interesting in sporting terms, but financially we had some questions.

"We have a counter proposal and will wait to see how Leverkusen reacts.

"We are not in a rush to sign. At worst, he plays another season in Amsterdam and leaves as a free agent after next season."

Marseille Join Liverpool In Pursuit Of Sporting Lisbon Star

Liverpool target Diego Capel is being courted by French club Marseille.

The 25-year-old Sporting Lisbon midfielder is being closely monitored by a number of sides across Europe, including the Merseyside club and Atletico Madrid.

But French newspaper L'Equipe claims the Ligue 1 outfit is ready to win the race for the winger's signature and have started negotiations with a £3m bid.

However, Lisbon is unwilling to part with the man they have under contract until June 2016 for less than their valuation of £6m, so a round of bidding is set to ensue.

Capel, who was a transfer target for Tottenham back in 2008, made 26 league appearances last season and scored five goals.

Ayew Admits Reds Allegiance

Marseille forward Andre Ayew has been talking up a summer move across The Channel to England.

Speaking on French TV show Telefoot, Ayew revealed: "It's a league I always think of. I am Ghanaian and an English speaker, and the English league is the one most watched in Ghana.

"I have a strong preference for England. I am not seeking to leave but, if interested clubs have the number of Marseille president Vincent Labrune."

The 23-year-old has been at the Stade Velodrome since 2005 when he joined as a 16-year-old from the humorously named Ghanaian side Nania.

Presumably the move was aided by his ability to travel instantly between the clubs via a wardrobe (N.B. that's a terrible literary reference as opposed to anything relating to fellow African footballer Papa Bouba Diop AKA 'The Wardrobe').

Either way, Ayew quickly showed his potential and made full debuts for both Marseille and the Ghanaian national team in 2007.

A couple of loan spells at Lorient and Arles-Avignon continued Ayew's progress before a break through year at L'OM in 2010-11 saw the forward play over 50 games and score 13 goals.

That campaign followed some impressive showings for Ghana at the 2010 World Cup where the Black Stars were controversially beaten in the quarter-finals by Luis Suarez and Uruguay.

Subsequent seasons have seen Ayew continue to find the net consistently despite often being utilized as a winger.

In total he now has 42 goals in 135 appearances for Marseille; helping the French side to a League title and two League Cups.

During the same weekend interview in which he expresed his wish to play in the Premier League, Ayew also admitted to supporting Liverpool as a child.

"As for Liverpool... yes, I have followed them since I was young," he commented.

Ayew, noted for his dribbling ability and high work effect, is contracted to Marseille until June 2015 and is likely to cost any potential suitors in the region of £12-15million.

Suarez Begs Liverpool To Sanction Spain Move

Luis Suarez has given his most blatant hint yet that he wants to move to the Spanish league.

Urging Liverpool to listen to his needs, he went on to talk of how every boy dreams of playing for either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

“First I have a contract with the club, but if one day I want to sign (for another club), Liverpool will hear the offer, as it does with other players,” he said in the Mail.

“They must agree with other teams, but the word of the player, in this case mine, is important. If you need a change, you should listen to the player.

“Every player aspires (to be the best) and if you ask a child of eight years they would say one day they would go to Real Madrid or Barcelona.”

A few months ago, Suarez revealed in an interview that his boyhood dream had been to play for Liverpool. However, he has become frustrated at the constant vilification of his actions in England.

He has been banned for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, and is currently serving a suspension for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

Liverpool has stated that they do not want to sell one of their biggest assets, but it is thought a substantial offer could tempt them.

Liverpool Striker Rules Out Anfield Exit

Liverpool striker Fabio Borini has dismissed talk of a summer exit from Anfield, stating that he is happy in England.

The Italian U21 striker made the move to Anfield from Roma in July 2012, but saw his first season hampered by injury which meant Borini made only 20 appearances, scoring twice.

But towards the end of the season Borini made his way back into the first team and scored his first Premier League goal in the victory over Newcastle.

Borini, despite his troubled first season has stated that it has always remained his intention to stay in England and prove himself in the Premier League.

The Italian had a spell with Swansea City in the 2010/11 season which saw the Swans reach the Play Off final and beat Reading 4-2, to gain promotion to the Premier League.

And Borini is seemingly getting back to his best, with the striker scoring the winning goal that saw Italy U21's reach the final of the European Championships. Borini's Italy beat the Netherlands in the semi-final, which means a final against Spain will follow.

And Borini, following his regaining of form has stated that a move away from England would only hinder a career that has only recently got back on track.

Speaking to reporters in Israel, Borini stated: "Am I looking to move abroad? People need to think more about my situation. In Italy, people give more time to foreigners than they do to youngsters."

"I feel really good in England," added Borini.

Andy Carroll Set For West Ham Medical

With Newcastle all but completely out of the picture--and dealing with even bigger problems now that they've brought back Joe Kinnear--the transfer picture surrounding Andy Carroll has become clear, and it's looking like one-way traffic to London is all but settled. Yesterday Elizabeth clued us in that a decision was expected in the coming days, and that assessment looks accurate with today's revelation that the striker is back from holiday and scheduled for a medical with West Ham tomorrow.

There likely aren't any concerns about his long-term fitness despite a spell on the sidelines earlier in the season; he finished the season on top form and looked injury-free, and while his zest for life is well-documented, I don't know that there should be any added worry about whether or not the medical will hold the deal up. Also unclear how, if at all, the fact that he's spent the last season with the club and its medical staff expedites the process.

Regardless, the final countdown is on for Andy Carroll's permanent move away from Anfield, and hopefully his career can start anew (at the ripe old age of 24) in a setting where he's not dogged by having his transfer fee constantly waved in his face as though it's some meaningful indicator of what he can accomplish as a footballer.

Daniel Agger Backed For Liverpool Vice-Captaincy

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has given his vote to defender Daniel Agger to take over as the Reds’ new vice-captain from the 2013/14 campaign.

Jamie Carragher had filled the position, behind skipper Steven Gerrard, until his retirement at the end of last season.

Now Brendan Rodgers must decide who is to step in and lead the team when Gerrard is not available.

Fowler believes the 6ft 3inch Danish international possesses the perfect attributes as a player and a person to fill the vacancy.

“There are a few players that we could opt for,” Fowler told the club’s official website.

“I know the website has recently done a vote and I think they have all voted for Daniel Agger. It probably makes sense, to be honest, so I’d probably opt for him. He’s a great player.

“When I re-signed, he actually signed the day before me. I would say that would probably not be a bad choice.”

Agger enjoyed his most productive season with Liverpool yet during the 2012/13 campaign, playing in all but four league games.

Agger has made 209 appearances overall for the Reds since his 2006 switch from Brondby, scoring 12 times.

Kop Legend Hails The Signing Of Kolo Toure

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has hailed the signing of Kolo Toure from Manchester City on a free transfer.

The Reds fan favourite played against the Ivory Coast centre-back during spells with Leeds United and Manchester City, and is adamant Toure will be an excellent addition to the Reds' backline.

"I've played against him numerous times and he is a fantastic player," Fowler told the club’s official website.

"I'm sure coming to a new club will spur him on that little bit more and he will want to do well. He will want to play. I think he will try hard in training and a little bit of pride will set in.

"You look at his performances over the years for Arsenal and Manchester City - he has been magnificent in the Premier League. Let's hope that he comes to Liverpool and carries on that magnificent form."

"Toure's been a fantastic player. His experience will be vital for Liverpool, especially after losing Carra," Fowler continued.

"Carra was unbelievable for Liverpool and, if anything, he was probably Liverpool's best defender last year. He will be a big miss.

"I don't know if Kolo Toure will play all of the games, but Liverpool as a team and a squad certainly needed a lot more numbers. Brendan [Rodgers] is doing that right now.

"Toure has been there and worn the T-shirt in the Premier League so I think his signing is absolutely magnificent."

Liverpool Optimistic About Signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Liverpool is increasingly optimistic about signing Shakhtar Donetsk's £22m-rated midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan while uncertainty continues over the futures of Luis Suárez and Andy Carroll.

Brendan Rodgers has made the Armenian international a prime target as he seeks to inject "an extra 20 goals" into his team next season, having already agreed a £7.6m deal for the Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas.

Shakhtar's chief executive, Sergey Palkin, said last weekend that there had been no official contact with Liverpool about Mkhitaryan, 24, who scored a record 25 goals in the Ukrainian premier league last season, but an approach is believed to have been made and Anfield officials are hopeful about concluding the signing.

Carroll's reluctance to accept a £15m move to West Ham has had an impact on Liverpool's immediate transfer plans while Suárez has not handed in a transfer request despite his frequent claims of discontent with life in England. But Liverpool is nevertheless proceeding with the pursuit of the coveted Mkhitaryan.

Liverpool Linked With Galatasaray's Nordin Amrabat

Liverpool have been linked with Galatasaray winger Nordin Amrabat following recent comments by the players agent Barry Thomas.

"We're aware of the interest from the Premier League," Thomas told Sky Sports.

"But he's contracted to Galatasaray and although tighter restrictions on foreign players in the Turkish league mean he could be available, his future very much depends on Galatasaray."

Despite Amrabat being happy at Galatasaray, the Lions are facing pressure as competition for foreign spaces increase.

The Turkish Football Federation only permits six foreign players on the field at any one time and the Istanbul based club currently has eight non-Turkish players on their books.

The Reds have been scouting Galatasaray throughout the season and have kept tabs on Amrabat, Semih Kaya, Burak Yilmaz and Selçuk İnan.

Liverpool have been linked with a number of wingers including Christian Atsu, Luis Alberto and Nacer Chadli as Brendan Rodgers looks to boost Liverpool's attacking options for the beginning of next season.

Amrabat joined Galatasaray from Kayserispor for €8.6 million last season and has four years left on his contract.

The 26-year-old Moroccan international scored once and provided 10 assists in 43 games last season including three assists in 10 Champions League appearances.

Reds And Palace Eye Chelsea Youngster

Liverpool FC are being linked with a loan move for Brazilian forward Lucas Piazon.

The 19-year-old signed for Chelsea from Sao Paulo in 2011 but has made just one Premier League appearance for the Stamford Bridge side, missing a penalty against Aston Villa in his team's 8-0 win.

He was on loan at Malaga in the second half of last season and Brendan Rodgers will be hoping that his past alliance with Jose Mourinho will enable him to do business.

Iago Aspas Move Blocked By Spanish Football Federation

Liverpool’s signing of Iago Aspas is being blocked by the Spanish Football Federation in a legal row over the player’s representation.

And according to emails seen by MirrorSport, Kop managing director Ian Ayre continued to negotiate with unauthorized agents over the deal even after discovering that he was not dealing with the player’s official FIFA-licensed representatives.

Aspas has a representation agreement with Jorge Santome and Carmelo Vicente until 2014, but attempted to force through a move to Anfield by enlisting the help of Barcelona-based agency PromoEsport.

As exclusively reported by the Daily Mirror last week, wrangling over the deal was holding up the finalization of the transfer, and Celta Vigo and the Spanish Federation are now so furious at the conduct of Ayre, Liverpool and PromoEsport that they are refusing to release Aspas’ International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

This means that although the 25-year-old could be presented as a Reds player and even train with the side, while the RFEF refuse to release the ITC the player cannot feature in any official matches for the Reds.

Santome and Vicente are now taking action against PromoEsport through the Spanish Federation, backed by Celta Vigo and several other La Liga clubs who are angry with PromoEsport’s conduct.

The agency, which on their website claims to represent another Liverpool target, Barcelona’s Luis Alberto, is banned from the Celta training ground and used the player’s brother to present the offer to the Galician club in order to hide their involvement.

A Liverpool spokesman said: “There was a complication with the paperwork. For the deal to be completed both FAs have to release the paperwork and we are waiting for that to happen. However, we are confident that will be done shortly.”

Iago Aspas Insists He's No Suarez Replacement

Liverpool’s new signing Iago Aspas insists he wants to play alongside Luis Suarez.

With the future of the Uruguayan unclear after he declared he wanted to leave Anfield, the £7m spent on 25-year-old striker Aspas was seen as good business should Suarez decide to leave.

But Aspas has stressed that he is coming to Liverpool to strengthen the side, not as a replacement.

“I am excited to be going to England,” he said in the Mirror. “I want to play in the Premier League. And I hope I will be helped to settle there by all the Spanish speakers at the club, including Luis Suarez.

“Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world and I am going there to take an important step in my career, not to be a replacement for anyone.

“I think it is time for me to take the next step in my career and Liverpool can help me do that. I have confidence in my ability to move forward and to grow as a player.

“I described the move as emotional for me because it is such a big club and it means I’ve reached another level. But I am calm because I feel I am ready. I want to show that I am capable of playing at the level of this huge club.”

Suarez Not Thinking About Leaving

Wantaway striker Luis Suarez says all is focus is on his country for now.

The 26-year-old has spoken of his desire to leave Merseyside to go somewhere where he is more valued.

He is currently at the Confederations Cup and good displays there could entice clubs to come in for him, but he insists that is not his main aim.

"I've come to the Confederations Cup with my mind on Uruguay and not thinking about how it can help me with a transfer,” he told Skysports.

“My only goal is to win the trophy.”

Suarez is currently serving a ten-match domestic ban in England for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, and he added:

"I have done things wrong, but I have recognized my mistakes and apologized. Obviously I would love to be valued more for my performances and not for one-off incidents.

"For example, I am proud to be just one goal away from drawing level with my country's top goalscorer, (Diego) Forlan, and long may he continue to hold that record. If I do break it, I will be humble in my celebrations."

Lucas: Suarez Exit Would Be A Great Loss

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva admits it would be a "great loss" if Luis Suarez left Anfield this summer.

The Uruguay international has publicly expressed his desire to quit the Premier League after suggesting negative press coverage surrounding his controversies has had an impact on his private life.

Suarez, who scored 30 goals in all competitions for Liverpool last season, also claimed it would be a "dream" to secure a move to Real Madrid.

"Luis Suarez has influenced many matches for us, and is a player, if he leaves, who would be a great loss," Lucas told Radio Grenal.

The Brazil international insists he is content with his own future at Liverpool but concedes Brendan Rodgers' side will not be considered favourites to win the Premier League title next season.

"It's been six years and I am very happy at Liverpool," he continued.

"If I fulfil my contract until the end, would be 11 years at Liverpool. Here in Europe I feel more complete than when I arrived at the club. I have evolved a lot with the coaches who have passed through here.

"The favourites to win the Premier League title are [Manchester] City, United, Chelsea, Arsenal and even Tottenham."

Arsenal May Renew Interest In Reina

With the summer transfer window set to open, there is plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Arsenal may turn to Pepe Reina after Victor Valdes confirmed he won’t leave Barca this summer.

Arsenal may renew their interest in Liverpool’s Pepe Reina after Victor Valdes confirmed he intends to see out the remaining year of his contract with Barcelona, according to the Daily Mail.

The Spanish goalkeeper has been at the Nou Camp his entire professional career but looked set to end his association with the Catalans after revealing he won’t be renewing his contract – which expires in 12 months time.

The Mail claim Arsenal have been strongly linked with a move for the 31-year-old with boss Arsene Wenger understood to be on the look-out for an experienced stopper to push Wojciech Szczesny for the number one jersey at the Emirates Stadium next season.

However, the Gunners will have to wait another year if they want to land Valdes after Barcelona President Sandro Rosell confirmed the keeper had informed the club he will stay and see out the last year of his contract.

If Wenger is intent on bringing in a new keeper this summer he will now have to go for other targets with the Mail suggesting Liverpool’s Pepe Reina and Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet could now be on his radar. The Gunners have been strongly linked with a move for the Spaniard in the past and the report claims the north Londoners may renew their interest following the news on Valdes’ decision to remain in Spain for another season.

Mignolet is thought to be keen for a move this summer to boost his chances of playing for Belgium at the 2014 World Cup and could be available for around £8m according to the newspaper, but ironically Liverpool are also in the hunt for the 25-year-old so it will be interesting to see how this goalkeeper merry-go-round pans out over the coming weeks.

Final West Ham Talks With Andy Carroll Set

West Ham co-owner David Gold has promised two major signings up front as final talks with Andy Carroll move closer.

The on-loan Liverpool player is due back from holiday and will hold talks next week with a view to finalizing a £15.5million deal.

And Gold, confident the deal is going to happen, reassured his Twitter followers they would be signing a top-notch name to play alongside him.

“Yes, we will,” he tweeted. “We must bring in two quality strikers.”