Liverpool Continue Toby Alderweireld Pursuit

Liverpool is in pole position to land Belgian international defender Toby Alderweireld, according to reports.

The Daily Star claims Ajax have brought forward plans to sign a replacement for the versatile 24-year-old, who can play at either right back, centre back or in centre midfielder.

Frank De Boer’s side have been given permission to speak to Mike van der Hoorn, and the FC Utrecht starlet is being touted as the ideal replacement for Alderweireld, who made his debut for the Godenzonen in 2008.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers does face competition for the signature however, with the report claiming Bayer Leverkusen are also interested in signing the £8million-rated Eredivisie star.

If the Reds do win the race for the player, then it would be their second centre back signing of the summer, after Kolo Toure moved to Anfield on a free transfer last month.

Rodgers is rebuilding the Liverpool defence following Jamie Carragher’s retirement, whilst Sebastian Coates is yet to find his best form on Merseyside. Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel are the other options available.

Liverpool And Arsenal Offered France Striker

Queens Park Rangers have offered front man Loic Remy to the likes of Newcastle United, Arsenal and Liverpool as the Championship outfit look to get the high-earning Frenchman off their wage bill next season, says the Daily Star.

The highly rated France international has only been at Loftus Road since the turn of the year, when the 26-year-old arrived in west London from Ligue 1 giants Olympique de Marseille on a four-and-a-half-year contract worth a club-record fee of £8 million.

However, despite the striker managing to hit the back of the net on six occasions in his 14 Premier League appearances for Harry Redknapp’s struggling outfit, his goals were still not enough to prevent the club from being relegated to the Championship.

And QPR are said to be desperate to offload Remy now that the summer transfer window has finally reopened for business once again, with the player available for as little as £6.8m, which is the value of the release clause in his current contract in the capital.

Chelsea On Verge Of Brokering Deal For Suarez

Chelsea is reportedly on the cusp of a sensational swoop for Liverpool forward Luis Suarez.

The 26-year-old had been tipped to join Arsenal earlier this week by bookmakers, who priced him at 5/2 to join Arsene Wenger's side.

Suarez's future has been the subject of unrelenting speculation, with the Uruguayan talking up a move to Real Madrid after hitting out at the English press for what he perceived to be unfair treatment of him.

But the Blues it seems are the frontrunners to capture his signature this summer.

Spanish paper AS claims Suarez could move to Stamford Bridge for a fee of £34m.

They also note that he could be in line for a sizeable pay packet, with the Blues ready to offer him a salary of £4.7m a season.

The news could be a source of welcome relief for Jose Mourinho, who appears destined to miss out on Edinson Cavani.

The Napoli hit man is thought to be in discussions with Laurent Blanc over a move to PSG.

Suarez In Shock Arsenal Link

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has been subject of some surprise backing to join Arsenal this summer, with various bookmakers reporting significant stakes.

Sky Bet are refraining from making the Gunners favourites to sign the striker as they attempt to make sense of the industry-wide run of bets, which prompted one major bookmaker to suspend betting on Wednesday evening.

The Reds star is 3/1 to remain at Anfield this summer after declaring his interest in leaving the Premier League, with Real Madrid the favourites to sign the Uruguay international, who has stated his desire to join the Spanish giants.

However, the Bernabeu-based outfit has drifted out from odds-on to 6/4 with Arsenal being backed in from 20/1 to 7/4.

The development comes out of the blue with the Gunners expected to complete the signing of Gonzalo Higuain in the next few days, while it seems unlikely that Liverpool would sell to fellow Premier League club, especially considering Suarez's reasons for wanting to leave.

Sky Bet Football Trader Chris Spicer said: "We initially actually saw very little money for Suarez to join Arsenal and did not even consider them in the betting until requested on Wednesday evening.

"However, some significant stakes have been seen across the industry, reportedly starting with some big bets from Spain, prompting us to move in line with other bookmakers.

"The bets have now started to come in but we are refraining from making Arsenal favourites though as it simply makes no sense given Suarez's desire to leave England, while we recently suspended betting on Higuain arriving at the Emirates."

Deals For Williams & Sakho Unlikely

Despite continued speculation linking the Reds with Swansea's Ashley Williams, in particular, well placed sources suggest the club has moved onto other targets.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers and Welsh defender Ashley Williams have been strongly connected with an Anfield reunion for some time but it appears the likelihood is beginning to fade.

Rodgers, who was manager at Swansea before moving to Liverpool last summer, is believed to have turned his attention to other options after his former employers put a £10million price tag on the 28-year-old's head.

The usually reliable Liverpool ECHO claim Williams is one of two defenders, the other being Frenchman Mamadou Sakho, who the Merseysiders are currently not pursuing despite national media reporting otherwise.

The latest round of 'Williams to Liverpool' speculation followed the centre-back's defensive colleague, Ben Davis, claiming the Wales captain was worth every penny of such a fee.

"Last season I would say Ash was one of the best centre-halves in the Premier League, I cannot think of many who were better than him. The job he did was incredible," praised Davis in quotes published by Sky Sports.

"A price of £10million or more to sign him is completely justified. You see some of the money that gets spent in this league on players who are unproven in the Premier League. I think £10million is more than a fair price."

Williams is contracted to Swansea until the summer of 2015 and the club are understandably keen to retain a player who has been a key component in their two impressive Premier League campaigns.

Arsenal is also believed to hold a firm interest in a defender who has been at the Liberty Stadium since a bargain £400k move from Stockport County in 2008.

Williams, the 2009 Wales Footballer of the Year, led the Swans to League Cup glory last season and has amassed 41 international caps to date.

Although it appears neither Williams or Sakho will be arriving at Anfield, Liverpool are still almost certainly on the look out for new defenders following Jamie Carragher's retirement and persisting doubts over the suitability of Martin Skrtel and Sebastian Coates.

Rodgers has already secured the free transfer signing of experienced centre-back Kolo Toure from Manchester City and is believed to retain an interest in Greek international Kyriakos Papadopoulos, although negotiations are believed to have stalled at this time, and Tiago Llori of Sporting Lisbon.

Liverpool To Give Young Duo A Chance

Porto winger Christian Atsu is no longer on Liverpool's radar, as the club is now concentrating on their own youngsters.

Jordan Ibe and Raheem Sterling both received chances with the senior line-up in Brendan Rodgers' first season in charge at Merseyside, with plans to concentrate on developing talent.

Atsu was believed to be on Liverpool's radar after a successful season at Porto, as Rodgers focuses on building his attacking options this summer.

The Liverpool Echo claims that the Reds will look to their own youngsters to step up next season, after Sterling in particular had a very successful first senior campaign with the side.

The 18-year-old had his season ended prematurely in March by a thigh injury, but still notched up 36 appearances over the course of the campaign.

The teen is now fully recovered and raring to get back into action for the club who began pre-season training this week.

Sterling already has a senior England cap to his name, and after shunning interest from other clubs to sign a long-term deal with Liverpool last season, Rodgers is reportedly confident that he doesn't need to spend £3m on Atsu when he has the youngster to call upon.

Meanwhile, Ibe is not quite yet at the same stage as Sterling, having received just one chance with the senior side last season. But his form was impressive against QPR on the final day of the Reds' campaign. As a result, Rodgers is believed to see the winger as a more viable option than bringing in someone who would need time to settle in and learn the ropes of English football.

While Rodgers is hoping to keep Sterling and Ibe for first team opportunities, he is reportedly considering sending out Suso and Andre Wisdom on loan so the pair clock up more game time and develop their skills.

Jones Signs Liverpool Deal

Highly-rated Liverpool starlet Lloyd Jones has signed his first professional contract at Anfield.

The towering central defender, who joined the club from Plymouth in 2011, is regarded as one of the brightest young prospects at Liverpool.

The 17-year-old was a regular in the NextGen team and the Under 21s last season and he was also named on the bench for a Premier League game against Fulham at the back end of last season.

Jones is tipped to become a regular in Brendan Rodgers' side in the next few seasons and the club has moved to secure him on a professional deal.

Wales youth international was delighted to sign the new deal writing on Twitter: "Great feeling to sign a Professional contract with Liverpool."

Swansea Wrap Up Shelvey Deal

Swansea City has completed the signing of midfielder Jonjo Shelvey from Liverpool for a fee of £5m.

The 21-year-old has put pen to paper on a four-year contract at the Liberty Stadium after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.

The England international - he has won one cap as a substitute in the 5-0 win over San Marino at Wembley last October - had also attracted the interest of Premier League newcomers Crystal Palace, but their bid was reportedly less than Swansea's.

Shelvey, whose fee also includes a number of potential add-ons, started his career with Charlton before moving to Liverpool for £1.7m in May 2010.

He made 69 appearances for the Reds and scored seven goals, but was deemed surplus to requirements at Anfield by boss Brendan Rodgers as he rebuilds his squad for the new season.

After completing the move, Shelvey wrote on Twitter: "Just wanna say thank you to every one of the Liverpool fans for there support! They were first class. And will be truly missed.

"Will miss the city very much. And the club! Owe a lot to everyone there! Thank you. Time to start a new chapter in life in Wales. Thank you."

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins has spoken of the need to increase the quota of homegrown players at the Liberty Stadium and Shelvey fits the bill.

"We have got to make sure that the make-up of our squad is right," said Jenkins.

"And obviously part of that is making sure that we have so many British players in there. We have got to do that - there is no choice because they are the rules."

No More Offers For Mkhitaryan

Shakhtar chief executive Sergei Palkin claims there have been no new offers for Liverpool target Henrikh Mkhitaryan and there is no release clause in his contract.

Liverpool has been strongly linked with a move for Mkhitaryan with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers thought to have made him one of his top summer transfer targets.

Reports have suggested Liverpool is closing in on a deal for the attacking midfielder, but Shakhar insist the only bid they have had for Mkhitaryan has been from Borussia Dortmund which they rejected.

It has been suggested Mkhitaryan has a release clause of €22million in his contract, but Palkin claims there is no such clause and it would cost €30million to buy himself out of his contract.

"There is nothing new about Mkhitaryan," Palkin told Football.ua. "I already have said that Borussia Dortmund offered €23 million for him; this was the sole offer. [But] our position is €30 million.

"Mkhitaryan's contract does not specify a compensation payment. Thirty million dollars need to be paid to sever the contract unilaterally.

"If we go with the civilized way and sell a player but he severs the contract, we specify a transfer value of €30million (£25million)."

Kolo Toure Officially Unveiled As Liverpool Player

Liverpool has wrapped up a deal for Kolo Toure at their training ground Melwood on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old Ivory Coast international represents the Reds' fourth summer acquisition having already signed Iago Aspas, Simon Mignolet and Luis Alberto.

The centre back signed a two-year contract at Melwood in the presence of the club's managing director Ian Ayre.

Speaking to the club's official website, Toure said: "This means a lot to me. Firstly, I'm joining one of the best clubs in England.

"When I left City it was important for me to stay in England because it's the best league - and to join Liverpool is massive for me.

"I chose Liverpool because of the history and because of the spirit of the team and the people here."

Toure has been allocated the No.4 shirt for next season.

Hearts Can Keep Danny Wilson

Danny Wilson used a loophole in the football laws to controversially sign again for skint Hearts.

In a shock move, Hearts have dodged a signing embargo and used cash freed up by sacking John Sutton on Friday to fund a new deal for defender Wilson.

The former Liverpool and Rangers stopper had agreed a bumper three-year deal with the Jam Tarts before the club plunged into administration.

However, the permanent contract was not lodged with the football authorities before the club suffered an insolvency event.

At that stage, Wilson was told the deal he agreed with the capital club was non-binding and he would be a free agent again, when his original loan move from Liverpool to Hearts expired.

However, the newly-formed SPFL recently allowed Hearts to process the Wilson deal.

League chiefs claimed that, as long as Wilson signed the deal before midnight on 30 June, Hearts could register him as it was a continuation of a previous contract rather than a new agreement.

An SPFL statement said: “The SPFL Player Registration of Heart of Midlothian FC player Danny Wilson would, had he not agreed a contract extension, have terminated on 30 June.

The SPFL has now received documents extending the contract of the player.

“As a result, the player’s existing SPFL registration is automatically extended and is not affected by the embargo on new SPFL Player Registrations currently in place on Heart of Midlothian FC as a result of Heart of Midlothian plc (in administration) being in administration.”

Boss Gary Locke was thrilled to have kept a key player as he eyes the prospect of starting the season with a 15-point penalty and a squad made up of kids.

He said: “I’m really pleased. Danny was already due to be part of the team and the administration has made no difference to his status.”

It’s understood Wilson has taken a massive hit on his original deal, but could still earn around £1,500 a week at Gorgie.

Liverpool Slams Suarez-Real Speculation

Liverpool has slammed reports claiming star attacker Luis Suarez has been negotiating terms to switch to La Liga giant Real Madrid.

The controversial Uruguayan has been on national duty at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, and Spanish daily Marca took to publish Suarez had been in talks with Madrid behind the backs of the Anfield chiefs.

The Reds slammed the speculation, saying Suarez had not handed in a transfer request, has three years remaining on his contract and is not for sale.

However, Liverpool is reportedly concerned by the close links between the media organization and Real - and treated the claims seriously.

If the rumours do have any substance, a potential move would have a direct flow-on effect on Tottenham Hotspur and its electrifying winger Gareth Bale.

Real assistant Zinedine Zidane is a known admirer of the Welsh magician, but the Bernabeu club would obviously only chase one of Suarez or Bale.

Liverpool Target Put Up For Sale

Long running Liverpool target Henrikh Mkhitaryan has officially been transfer listed according to Shakhtar Chief Executive.

“Henrikh is an important player in our team,” chief executive Sergei Palkin said in an interview with Izvestia. “Shakhtar want to keep him, but we are willing to listen and consider all suggestions for a transfer.”

“We have already parted with Willian and Fernandinho, but the club will not just sell players. In the near future we will also gain quality, designed to replace the leading players, possibly including Henrikh.”

Premier League clubs Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool will all be put on alert after this recent occurrence, and a bid in excess of £15million should be enough to allow Shakhtar to part with one of their star players.

Liverpool Agree £25.7 Million Deal For Top Transfer Target

Liverpool has finally reached an agreement to sign Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Shakhtar Donetsk, according to Russian newspaper Sport Express.

Armenian television program ‘Extra Time’ announced on Friday evening that Mkhitaryan had agreed terms with a foreign club over a transfer, and it would now appear that Liverpool have won the race to sign Ukraine’s top goalscorer this summer.

Mkhitaryan scored 25 goals for Shakhtar Donetsk last season from an attacking midfield position, and providing he can adapt well to the Barclays Premier League, he could be an immense signing for Brendan Rodgers’ team.

Sport Express state that the 24 year-old will fly to Merseyside in the coming days for a medical and to complete the necessary paperwork in order to finalize the deal.

With a reported fee of €30 million (approximately £25.7m), Mkhitaryan would be the second most expensive signing in Liverpool history, after the £35 million Andy Carroll cost when he signed from Newcastle United in January 2011.

With Carroll having moved to West Ham United this summer for a significant loss having failing to impress for the Reds, Liverpool will hope that their next big move in the transfer market is a more successful gambit.

Spurs To Hijack Liverpool's Henrikh Mkhitaryan Move

Liverpool fans in the Football Transfer Tavern had thought that the deal to bring Shakhtar Donetsk playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Anfield was almost complete but today’s Mail Online reports that Premier League rivals Tottenham are ready to hijack the deal and sign the goalscoring midfielder this summer.

The Armenian international had already held positive talks with Brendan Rodgers and it was thought that a deal could have been agreed before the transfer window opens officially at the start of July but now it looks like Spurs could move for him instead with the prospect of European football likely to prove attractive.

Spurs are close to finalizing the £17 million agreement for Brazilian defensive midfielder Paulinho of Corinthians but once that deal is over the line the attentions with representatives at the club will turn to the £20 million rated 24-year-old midfielder.

Champions League finalist Borussia Dortmund are also thought to have made a bid for Mkhitaryan, who netted 25 times last season but a move to the Premier League is thought to be his desired preference this summer.

Liverpool Show Interest In Portuguese Winger

Liverpool scouts have set their sights on Sporting Lisbon starlet Bruma, according to reports.

The Liverpool Echo claims the 18-year-old Portugal youth international has caught the eye of the Reds hierarchy as they attempt to negotiate a deal for Tiago Ilori.

Both players are representing their country at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Portugal, helping Edgar Borges’ side to top spot in Group B and a place in the knockout rounds.

But, the news is not positive with regards to Bruma, with the paper claiming that Liverpool has ‘very little chance’ of bringing the talented teenager to the Premier League this summer.

Brendan Rodgers has already been a busy boss this summer, bringing Kolo Toure, Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto and Simon Mignolet to Anfield in a relatively short space of time.

Bruma would certainly fit the plans set in place by the Northern Irishman on Merseyside, with talented young players getting their chance to shine.

However, Liverpool may now have to look elsewhere if they want to strengthen their attack further in the coming months.

Liverpool Push For Verona's Jorginho

Liverpool has reportedly stepped up their attempts to sign Hellas Verona’s Italian-Brazilian starlet Jorginho.

The 21-year-old creative midfielder’s full name is Jorge Luiz Frello Filho, but he is known to supporters by his nickname.

Born and raised in Brazil, Jorginho grew up in the Verona youth academy and has opted to represent Italy at international level, receiving one cap so far for the Under-21 side.

Milan, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all sent scouts to view him at Verona, but Sky Sport Italia claim Liverpool are surging forward.

The Anfield side is proposing an offer worth £8m – approximately €10.5m.

Liverpool Interested In Grêmio's Matheus Biteco

Liverpool is set to make a move for highly-rated Grêmio midfielder Matheus Biteco for a potential fee of £5 million.

The Merseyside giants sent scouts to the Toulon U20 tournament earlier this month ahead of a possible swoop.

The club was reportedly impressed with the defensive midfielder and is considering a £5m bid for the Brazilian according to the Liverpool Echo.

Sambafoot revealed earlier this month that Liverpool sent scouts to the tournament and that defensive midfielder Matheus is one player being looked at as a possible signing.

Liverpool have a history with Matheus' parent club, Grêmio, having signed Lucas Leiva in 2007 and former Reds left-back Fabio Aurelio currently plies his trade at the Porto Alegre club.

Porto Alegre native Matheus has featured in Grêmio's Campeonato Gaucho campaign, making six appearances in midfield, three of them in the starting lineup.

The summer would be an ideal time for a swoop as Matheus turns 18 in June, paving the way for a move abroad as Brazil laws prevent the departure of footballers aged 17 and under from Brazil.

Liverpool are thought to be looking to bolster their defensive options this summer and with Lucas Leiva their only recognized defensive midfielder, Matheus could be a long-term solution.

Martin Skrtel Is At A Crossroad

A year can be a hell of a long time in football. Just ask Martin Skrtel. From mainstay to makeweight, and all in the space of 12 months. Skrtel’s Anfield future, like several others, is up for debate this summer.

The central defender is tied into a lucrative, long-term contract with the Reds, but the suggestions from inside the club are that reasonable offers will be considered. Napoli, managed by Rafael Benitez, has been linked.

It is all a far cry from this time last year. Then, Liverpool were having to convince Skrtel they could match his ambitions, as well as his financial demands. They, not the player, were the ones fighting. He was the one holding the cards.

Perhaps understandably. The Slovakian had, after all, just been named as the Reds’ Player of the Season. He was a constant, a reliable presence.

Manchester City was interested. They sniffed, they probed, they whispered in his agent’s ear, and they tested Liverpool’s resolve with a formal bid, understood to be around £12m.

Liverpool, swiftly, rejected it. Brendan Rodgers, newly appointed, was desperate to retain his key players. Skrtel, together with Luis Suarez and Daniel Agger, was certainly one. There was, generally, a sense of relief at Anfield when a new contract was agreed in August.

Maybe that took his eye off the ball. Because since then his stock has fallen. And fast.

Sluggishness in possession, a nervousness when faced with imposing, physical forwards, and, perhaps more alarmingly, an apparent lack of genuine leadership qualities, all contributed to his demotion from the Reds team back in January.

Skrtel – along with Sebastian Coates, another who is fighting for his Anfield future right now – was bullied by Oldham Athletic’s Matt Smith as Liverpool were dumped out of the FA Cup. A senior international defender given the runaround by a reserve League One striker. It proved a pivotal moment.

Three days later, Liverpool went to Arsenal. Jamie Carragher started, and Skrtel was benched. He has started just three games since.

And with Rodgers making no secret of his desire to bring in “at least two” central defenders this summer, the feeling is that, at 28, Skrtel’s number is up at Anfield.

Kolo Toure has been signed, and Rodgers was desperate to bring Kyriakos Papadopoulos, the highly-rated 21-year-old, too.

Liverpool’s refusal to compromise with Schalke over their asking price could offer Skrtel the chance of an Anfield revival.

Having been scared of losing him a year ago, Liverpool may now regret that they didn’t cash in on him when they had the chance. Because Manchester City is unlikely to come back for him now.

What a difference a year makes.

City Duo Applaud Toure Acquisition

Kolo Toure's level of experience and leadership makes his free transfer to Liverpool an 'astute' signing according to two of his former colleagues at Barclays Premier League rivals Manchester City.

The Ivorian defender plied his trade with City for four seasons, winning a championship medal and the FA Cup as well as sharing a dressing room with Gareth Barry and Joleon Lescott.

"Kolo will be a great signing. I think it's an astute signing by Brendan Rodgers because he has got so much experience," Barry told LFC TV.

"He will always give 100 per cent, he will never give up. Kolo will win over the fans straight away.

"Losing Jamie Carragher's experience from the dressing room will be a huge loss for Liverpool and the fans.

"But Kolo, with his experience and his work-rate, the way he goes about his training, will do a good job of replacing him."

That's an opinion shared by City teammate Lescott, who had the opportunity to watch Toure at close quarters during their time together in Manchester.

The England international explained: "He's energetic, he's full of life and he's always smiling every day in training.

"I know he's a good player - he's quick, he reads the game well and he's a leader. You can't replace Jamie Carragher but that will be as close as you're going to get."

New Boys Will Aid Top Four Push

Robbie Fowler is confident Liverpool's summer transfer business so far will stand them in good stead when it comes to mounting a strong challenge for a top-four finish in 2013-14.

The Reds have moved quickly to add Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas and Simon Mignolet to their ranks so far this summer, while a deal has also been agreed in principle for Kolo Toure.

Fowler believes such acquisitions will allow Brendan Rodgers' men to achieve a greater degree of consistency this term and build on the progress made over the course of the last campaign.

Speaking in Indonesia on a promotional visit to the country ahead of this summer's pre-season tour, he said: "At the start of every season, we always have aims and ambitions to get into the top four and get as high up the table as we can.

"We didn't do it last season, but you could see the progression was slowly getting there - we were getting better all the time.

"For this season, there have been a few more players added to the squad, so I think the consistency will be a little bit better.

"The likes of Manchester United and Chelsea have got new managers now, so hopefully it will be a bit of a sticking point for them - but in terms of Brendan Rodgers and the squad we're putting together, I think we can certainly challenge for that top four."

Liverpool Must Avoid Another Year In Transition

Liverpool has dipped into the market very early. Already, Brendan Rodgers has snapped up Manchester City veteran Kolo Toure, Spanish starlets Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas and finally ex-Sunderland shot-stopper Simon Mignolet.

These new purchases have confirmed the fact that the corporate heads are serious about ensuring Liverpool’s place in the top four next season.

Yet, fans are worried at how long it will take the new stars to settle in at Anfield.

In all earnestness the fear of having another transitional season is genuine.

We should also not forget the importance of winning the early fixtures of the season.

Last August, we were expecting the new stars to shine but something nearly opposite happened.

The fans have not forgotten the meek performances of Joe Allen, Sebastian Coates and Fabio Borini, just to name a few.

One thing that the Reds have struggled with, for quite some time, is consistency. What they need right now is a match winner, someone who can inspire a comeback from two goals down.

Yes, Steven Gerrard still has some years left in him but over-dependence on him is one of the reasons why Liverpool have ended up in mid table positions for the past four years.

David Villa is looking for a club that can provide him with regular playing time and Liverpool should pursue him.

Yes, he comes with a hefty price tag but that can be balanced with the money Luis Suarez’s sale might bring whose departure is not a question of an ‘if’ but ‘when’. The Spanish international has played with top sides that have different styles and has proven himself on every occasion.

Amongst the new arrivals, it is fair to say that the best days of Kolo Toure are behind him. Aspas has been quoted as the less famous version of Suarez, because he posses both the qualities of the Uruguayan - creativity and involvement in controversy.

Alberto is yet to be tested on the big stage while many believe Mignolet is overhyped. Brendan Rodgers needs to rethink his strategy before making any hasty decisions.

Nevertheless, he does have a point when he claims the new signings will improve competition for a place in the playing eleven.

Gerrard Excited By Liverpool Signings

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has admitted that he is thrilled by the club’s early transfer activity and is excited about lining up with his new team mates.

On Wednesday, Liverpool confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Simon Mignolet from Sunderland, to add to the acquisitions of Kolo Toure, Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas.

The Reds skipper is hopping that the early business with allow them to compete for a Champions League place next season.

He told the club's official television channel, "Especially with the news of us making a few signings, I'm really looking forward to getting started.

"It's always important to get faces in as soon as possible; they can get a full pre-season under their belt, get to know the lads and how the manager wants to play.

"There are some exciting names in there so everyone is excited."

Gerrard also admits that he does not know much about the Spanish pair, but trusts the club’s scouts to have done a great job.

"I know very little about them but I have got a lot belief and confidence in Brendan [Rodgers] and the scouting department that they are going to make the right decisions and I have seen bits and bobs of new signings we have made," he remarked.

"I am really looking forward to getting back to work next week and seeing what the new players have got to offer and see if they can help strengthen our squad to put in a better fight for a top-four finish."

Liverpool Rekindle Interest In French Striker

Liverpool has reportedly rekindled their interest in signing Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) striker Kevin Gameiro, according to Le 10 Sport. The French international has been on the Reds' radar for a while now and Brendan Rodgers even made a loan approach during the January transfer window.

Gameiro had a strong 2011/12 season, scoring 11 goals from 27 Ligue 1 starts. However, the arrivals of Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Argentine Ezequiel Lavezzi last summer limited game time for the 26-year-old former Lorient youngster.

Nevertheless, Gameiro did still score eight times from his 25 league games; he only started seven of those. The report suggests the striker is keen on a move to Anfield and this lack of game time could persuade the Frenchman to hop across the English Chanel.

According to Le10 Sport, Liverpool will launch a bid for his services in the coming days. Gameiro earlier expressed his desire to leave his employers and has also revealed a dream of playing abroad at some point in his career.

"I always wanted to play abroad. At the end of the season, hopefully after we win the title, we can decide about my future. I want to play football every time. I am no different to any player. It is difficult to sit on the bench but all big clubs in Europe have the same problems, you can't play every game but being involved is good," Gameiro told Sky Sports.

The club's director of football, Leonardo, earlier admitted Gameiro's reaction as "normal". But the Brazilian is hopeful Gameiro continues at the Parc des Princes and does not hand in a request to leave the club.

"This is a normal reaction. He hasn't played too much this season. A penalty? No, no punishment. It has already happened with Menez and Nene. We understand that this bad mood lasts up to two hours after the match, then it stops," Leonardo explained.

"I hope he does not ask to go, he must understand his importance, but maybe he wants something else," he added.

Liverpool Target David Villa To Replace Suarez

Liverpool will turn to Barcelona striker David Villa if they are forced to sell Luis Suarez this summer.

The Reds are battling to hang onto leading goal scorer Suarez, who asked to quit the club earlier this month after becoming disillusioned with life in England.

Brendan Rodgers insists he is confident the player will stay, but after Real Madrid appointed Carlo Ancelotti this week the Primera Liga giants are pushing hard for a deal.

Liverpool is not willing to sell on the cheap but is coming around to the idea of offloading Suarez before the start of pre-season, and is already lining up possible targets.

According to reports in Spain, Barca hitman Villa is the leading contender to replace Suarez and Liverpool are confident they can get him for a bargain price.

The Anfield club has already brought in reinforcements up front in the form of Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto, but both are far from seasoned performers and Villa would guarantee instant goals.

The 31-year-old has already told Barca boss Tito Vilanova he wants out of the Nou Camp, and it’s thought Liverpool could get him for around £8million.

Spanish publication El Mundo Deportivo suggests Tottenham and Napoli are also keen on the forward, but are yet to lodge an offer.

Suarez’s future will be decided when he returns from the Confederations Cup.

Liverpool Target PSG Star As Carragher Replacement

Liverpool are keeping tabs on Paris Saint-Germain defender Mamadou Sakho as Brendan Rodgers continues the search for Jamie Carragher's long-term replacement, reports the Daily Express.

Sakho, who was unable to hold down a regular first-team spot for Carlo Ancelotti's star-studded Ligue 1 champions last season, has stalled over signing a new deal with the club.

The 23-year-old, who has 13 caps for France, has been with PSG for his entire career, and has made 196 first-team appearances for the club.

PSG are believed to be keen to retain Sakho's services and have already offered him a new two-year contract and a pay rise.

The Reds has already brought in Kolo Toure to join the likes of Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and Sebastian Coates, but with question marks hanging over the futures of the two latter players in that list the Anfield club are still thought to be keen on strengthening their defensive options.

Skrtel has been linked with a move to Napoli, with former Reds boss Rafa Benitez ready to splash the funds garnered from Edinson Cavani's inevitable departure.

Liverpool could now step up their interest in Sakho after reaching a dead end over a deal for Sporting Lisbon's Tiago Ilori and being priced out of moves for Swansea City's Ashley Williams and Schalke's Kyriakos Papadopoulos.

Liverpool Transfer Target Eyes Real Madrid Exit

Real Madrid striker Jose Callejon is ready to leave the Bernabeu, with Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool interested in a move for the player, according to reports in Spain.

The forward struggled to make a long-lasting impression on former manager Jose Mourinho, with most of his 29 league appearances coming from the substitute’s bench.

And with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo in such fine form last season, the 26-year-old striker struggled to gain a regular first-team berth and is now seeking a move away from the Bernabeu to gain frequent first-team football.

Once hailed as one of Spain's brightest young prospects, Callejon was signed by Real Madrid in 2011, having made the move from fellow La Liga side Espanol for a fee of around £4m.

He made 25 league appearances in his first season at Madrid, but like this season, most of these were from the bench. And it seems that Callejon has had enough of featuring from the bench and is seeking a permanent move away from the Spanish capital.

And with the performances of Real Madrid Castilla forwards Jese Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata ever improving, Callejon may be forced further down the pecking order next season if these two players are promoted to the Real Madrid senior team next season.

And it is Premier League side Liverpool has expressed the strongest interest in the forward, whilst Serie A outfits Fiorentina and Napoli are also monitoring the situation of the 26-year-old as well.

If Callejon joins Liverpool, he will join fellow Spaniards Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas to have made the move to Anfield this season.

Assaidi Set For Return To Holland

PSV Eindhoven Target Loan Move For Assaidi

PSV Eindhoven wants to bring Liverpool outcast Oussama Assaidi back to Holland.

Assaidi, 24, failed to break through into the senior side last season in his first campaign at Anfield following his £2.4million switch from Heerenveen a year ago and virtually all of his appearances came in the Cups.

PSV are keen on Assaidi and would like to sign the Moroccan winger on loan for next season.

Assaidi has been pushed further down the Reds' pecking order by the arrivals of Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas and Brendan Rodgers would consider letting him go.

However he would prefer to recoup the money he paid for Assaidi last summer to fund his latest spending spree rather than let him go out on loan.

Liverpool Midfielder Wanted By Swansea

Liverpool are prepared to sell Jonjo Shelvey to Swansea City - but only if Michael Laudrup makes a £5m offer, according to the Mirror.

The Swans have opened talks with the Reds' manager Brendan Rodgers about buying the England Under-21 midfielder, who has struggled to tie down a regular place in the Anfield club's starting line-up.

Former Swansea boss Rodgers has reportedly decided that Shelvey can go as part of his club's summer shake-up, and the Welsh side sees him as a player who can add bite to their slick-passing style.

Shelvey's availability has also alerted other clubs, but League Cup winners Swansea is showing the biggest interest and a compromise could be reached in the next 48 hours.

The 21-year-old signed for Liverpool from Charlton Athletic in 2010, for an initial fee of £1.7m.

He has since made 70 appearances for the Reds, scoring seven times in all competitions.

Shelvey was particularly successful in Liverpool's Europa League campaign last year, netting four times, and with the Swans due to enter the same competition for the first time this coming season, he could prove an important signing.

Arsenal Renew Interest In Pepe Reina

Arsenal has renewed their interest in Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina after the Anfield outfit completed the signing of Simon Mignolet, reports the Evening Standard.

Reina has been linked with a move to the Emirates on numerous occasions over the past few seasons, but a move never came to fruition with Arsenal's reluctance to meet the asking price coinciding with the rise of Wojciech Szczesny.

Although the young Szczesny began out very promising, the last season saw him make too many mistakes, costing Arsenal valuable points.

Wenger seemed to have lost faith in him when he selected Lukasz Fabianski to play instead, which is a bold statement considering the problems he has had himself in goal.

With Liverpool signing Simon Mignolet, its thought Pepe Reina's time at the club may be up, as Brendan Rodgers looks to assert himself on the Liverpool squad with numerous fresh faces.

The Evening Standard has reported that Reina will hold talks with Rodgers over his future once he returns from the Confederation Cup.

The move to the Gunners is also now more realistic due to their newly founded financial power, and restructuring of the wage bill - helped by the departure of highly paid players who failed to make an impression on the squad.

Therefore Reina's £110,000-per-week wages shouldn't prove a problem for Arsenal.

Although it might be unclear as to where Reina will begin next season, it seems that Arsenal is in the market for a goalkeeper. They have scouted a number of the best shot-stoppers in the world, and have been linked with moves for many of them; these include Victor Valdes, Asmir Begovic, Rene Adler and Julio Cesar.

Rodgers Praised For Sterling Treatment

The CEO of the QPR Community Trust has praised the way Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is handling the career of young England winger Raheem Sterling.

Andy Evans has been with the trust for almost 20 years and has overseen a number of young players who have gone on to turn professional including Liverpool speed-merchant, Sterling.

Sterling made his first-team debut for Liverpool in 2012 and made his England debut later that year after a series of impressive displays for the Reds.

Rodgers used the 18-year-old sparingly in 2013 amidst fears of possible burnout and Evans believes the Liverpool manager has dealt with the situation the right way.

“I think he’s probably managed him quite well,” said Evans.

“He will be seeing and working with him every day throughout the year and it’s a big jump going from a youth player to becoming a first team player in the Premier League at a big club.

“I’m sure Brendan and his staff will be managing his workload accordingly and that is probably why they took him out towards the end because it is difficult for a young player like that to maintain his level over the course of a whole season.”

Evans believes changes to modern day football mean managers now have to be more careful than ever in nurturing young talent.

“It’s not just about skill level and fitness it’s also about how young players handle the media glare and everything that goes with the challenge of playing at the top level,” he explained.

“It’s about how they handle their life off the field as well, not just what they do out there on the park during 90 minutes but how are they coping with all the other pressures that go with that.

“It falls on the staff at those clubs who are close to them and working with them to manage that side of their development as well.”

Sterling was snapped up by Liverpool in 2010 as a 14-year-old by former Reds manager Rafael Benitez and Evans conceded QPR were powerless to stop the move.

“He came into the academy here at QPR and at the time the club was quite challenged financially, as it was a few years before the big takeover,” he said.

“Liverpool came in for him with an offer the club couldn’t really turn down and obviously it was a great opportunity for Raheem and his family as well.

“It was a shame we couldn’t hold onto him and see him wear the blue and white hoops because it would have been great to see a real local kid go from the academy to the first team.”