Ten players Liverpool should look at if Luis Suarez leaves the club this summer.
10. Bojan Krkic (Roma)
The Spanish forward was once considered one of the most promising talents emerging from Barcelona’s famous La Masia youth system. Things haven’t quite worked out that way for Bojan, with some disappointing spells with Roma and on loan at AC Milan. However, it’s not too late for him as he’s still only 22, and although it’s not clear who Liverpool would approach to sign him (Barcelona still have first refusal on the player) they could do well to make an offer and give him a chance to reignite his career. On his day he is a versatile attacker who could replace both the goals and assists of Suarez.
9. Carlos Vela (Real Sociedad)
The former Arsenal striker has been mentioned as a possible target for Liverpool this summer after impressing in La Liga with Real Sociedad. Carlos Vela is finally starting to fulfill his potential and has a highly impressive 14 goals and 9 assists for the club this season after making his loan move from the Gunners permanent. The Mexican struggled in his first spell in England, but in fairness he was never given enough of a chance by Arsene Wenger, and could flourish in the Suarez role in Brendan Rodgers’ technical and attack-minded system.
8. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Saint Etienne)
This talented 23-year-old has impressed several top clubs around Europe with his performances for Saint Etienne this season, scoring 19 goals and contributing 9 assists from a wide-forward role. Equally adept at playing in the centre, this skillful attacker offers a very similar kind of threat that Suarez does, and Liverpool could afford to fight off competition from the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Real Madrid for him if they receive a big fee from the sale of Suarez. They might regret it if they don’t move for him now, as he is surely destined for a great career at a big club.
7. Cristian Tello (Barcelona)
Cristian Tello could be available for a knock-down price of just £8million this summer due to a clause in his contract with Barcelona. The talented youngster has not managed to establish himself as first choice due to the immense competition ahead of him at the Nou Camp, and that seems unlikely to change with the arrival of Santos star Neymar confirmed for next season. Tello could certainly do a job for Liverpool though, and they have been said to be considering making a move for him this summer. If Suarez goes, Tello could be high on their list with his ability to play upfront or wide, making himself a constant threat with his pace, dribbling and shooting. Other clubs will certainly be keen on him as well, but he would certainly be well suited to Liverpool’s style of play.
6. Michu (Swansea City)
The Spanish striker has had a great first season in the Premier League with Swansea. Having joined for just £2million from Rayo Vallecano, the 27-year-old managed 18 goals in the league, showing himself to be one of the most clinical finishers in the country. His form has attracted much attention from bigger sides, and Atletico Madrid are said to be weighing up a move to bring him in as a replacement for Radamel Falcao, but Liverpool could keep him in England if they add him to their front line. Although less of a creator than Suarez, he could certainly help replace his goals.
5. Erik Lamela (Roma)
This Argentine forward has looked a real prospect this season after finally settling in and finding his best form for Roma. The 21-year-old is a great prospect and, like Suarez, can play in a variety of attacking positions upfront. The likes of Tottenham and Chelsea are said to be interested in Lamela, who scored 15 goals and provided 5 assists this season, but the sale of Suarez could free up the funds required for Liverpool to compete with bigger clubs for his signature. This skillful and entertaining attacker would soon help the Anfield crowd forget about their former star.
4. David Villa (Barcelona)
A good short-term option for Liverpool might be out-of-favour Barcelona striker David Villa. The Spanish striker has been linked with both Arsenal and Tottenham in recent months as he looks increasingly likely to leave the Nou Camp this summer. His recent injury record is not great and has seen him fall down the pecking order at Barca, but his goal scoring touch is still there with 9 in La Liga this season despite limited appearances. He may not be at his world class best like a few years ago, but for now he could prove useful upfront for the Reds as they look for a reliable finisher.
3. Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid)
Liverpool will have to pay big money and fight off competition from Arsenal and Juventus for Gonzalo Higuain, but the Argentine striker would be well worth it. His goal scoring record for Real Madrid is excellent and he is unlucky to find himself on the transfer list at the Bernebeu after a difficult season all round for the club. He has 15 goals in La Liga this season despite often being on the bench, and would surely excel if given more games and chances. The 25-year-old would cost around £22million, but it would be a big boost for the Reds if they could beat some big names to his signature and significantly improve their chances of breaking into the top four next season.
2. Heung-Min Son (Hamburg)
Considered to be one of the best young players in the Bundesliga, South Korean forward Heung-Min Son is attracting a lot of interest this summer from Arsenal, Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund. Liverpool would be wise to enter the race for his signature as he is just the kind of player who could fill Suarez’s role perfectly, and will surely be one of the world’s best attacking players for many years to come. Still only 20, this would be a signing for the future as well as the present, and an excellent investment by Liverpool. He has 12 goals and 2 assists for Hamburg in the German league this season and is useful upfront, out wide, or behind the striker.
1. Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
Another player who will be attracting a lot of interest this summer is Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke. The 22-year-old has had a fantastic first season in the Premier League, scoring 19 league goals and proving a real handful for defenders up and down the country. Arsenal, Tottenham, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are all said to be chasing him and there’s no doubt Villa will try their best to keep him, so it will be a challenging signing for Liverpool, but one would that would surely ensure Suarez is not too badly missed. With Benteke shining in a struggling Villa side, one can only imagine how good he’d be with the kind of service he’d get at Anfield.