Saturday’s Liverpool transfer gossip: Both Barcelona and Brondby are interested in signing Reds centre-back Daniel Agger, while Brendan Rodgers has suffered a setback in his pursuit of Ezequiel Lavezzi; plus more…
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Daniel Agger locked in transfer battle, Glen Johnson future unclear
Barcelona and Brondby will battle it out for the right to sign Liverpool defender Daniel Agger, who is resigned to leaving the club this summer following the arrival of Dejan Lovren.
Daily Mail reports suggest that any deal would have to be at the right price in order for Barcelona to proceed, with the Spanish giants having splashed out on French defender Jeremy Mathieu last week. That has opened the door for the Dane’s former club, who are desperate to lure him back to Brondby.
The Mail have also claimed that the future of right-back Glen Johnson remains unclear, with the England international defender yet to be offered a new deal, despite having just one year remaining on his current contract.
PSG target favours move to Juventus
The Reds have suffered a transfer blow, with the news that £18m target Ezequiel Lavezzi would prefer a move to Juventus.
The Daily Express explained that reports circulating in the Italian media claim the PSG wantaway is surplus to requirements and will force through a deal with Juventus in the near future.
Suggestions Lavezzi would be leaving the Parc des Princes emanated from Laurent Blanc’s ceaseless pursuit of Real Madrid star Angel Di Maria. A pursuit that may finally be coming to a conclusion with a loan deal imminent.
Liverpool youngster set for Germany loan
Liverpool could unintentionally aid Manchester United in their pursuit of Mats Hummels by agreeing to loan the German side youngster Tiago Illori.
That is according to the Daily Star, who believe that Louis Van Gaal is desperate to sign Hummels, who shone in Germany’s victorious World Cup campaign in Brazil
And his attempts to snap him up are being aided by arch rivals Liverpool, who are willing to let 21-year-old Portuguese defender Ilori, who spent last season with Granada, move to Dortmund on loan to replace him.
Brendan Rodgers praises bad-boy Italian striker
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has heaped praise on AC Milan’s former Manchester City striker, Mario Balotelli – according to reports by ESPN.
Rodgers is in the market for a new striker after a proposed move for Queens Park Rangers forward Loic Remy fell through due to a failed medical. Ahead of his side’s friendly with AC Milan in North Carolina, Rodgers said Balotelli, who was linked with a summer move to Arsenal, has all the qualities required to be a leading striker.
“Balotelli is a big talent,” Rodgers said. “I saw that in this time at Inter Milan as a young player and obviously going to Manchester City when we had a real close eye on him there.
Goalkeeping target joins Malaga
Mexican goalkeeping hero Guillero Ochoa, who was linked with a move to Liverpool earlier this summer, has signed a contract with Spanish side Malaga.
The 29-year-old, who was one of the star’s of this summer’s World Cup, became a free agent at the end of last season after leaving French club AC Ajaccio, and attracted interest from a host of top European clubs.
However, he has chosen to join the Spanish side, where he will replace their outgoing stopper Willie Caballero, who has moved to Manchester City.