Liverpool News And Rumour Roundup: Balotelli Debate Rages On, £31.2m Higuain Bid Lodged And Bundesliga Winger Targeted Again

Thursday’s biggest stores from Thursday.

Liverpool competing with Tottenham Hotspur for Birmingham City’s Demarai Gray

Spurs are keeping close tabs on the youngster who is also being watched by Arsenal and Manchester City.

However, according to the Mirror the Reds have first refusal for the 18-year-old for around £2m as part of the deal that took Jordon Ibe on-loan to St Andrew’s last season.

Gray has been impressing for the England Under-19s in recent times and has been compared to fellow Birmingham graduate Nathan Redmond.

READ MORE:
Real Madrid v Barcelona El Clasico combined XI.
Mario Balotelli shirt swap causes controversy.
Champions League Team of the Week.

Schalke 04 enter the race to sign Bayern Munich’s Xherdan Shaqiri

The future of the Switzerland international remains in doubt, with manager Brendan Rodgers a well known admirer of Shaqiri.

However, the Northern Irishman faces strong competition from Schalke for the 22-year-old who are also keen on securing his signature, according to the Daily Star.

Shaqiri is open to leaving the Allianz Arena as he has grown frustrated at the back of first team opportunities currently available at Bayern.

Reds make £31.2m offer for Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain

The need for attacking support has reached breaking point at Anfield as Mario Balotelli continues to fail and Rodgers has identified Higuain as the answer, according to the Metro.

It’s believed that the Merseyside outfit have lodged a £31.2m bid for the Argentina international, who is currently unhappy in Serie A.

Higuain arrived in Naples from Real Madrid in 2013 and despite showing good form has failed to truly settle in Italy.

Yet club legend thinks they should stick by Balotelli

Former forward Michael Owen has taken to Twitter to give his support to the Italy international ahead of the Premier League clash with Hull City on Saturday.

Whilst Owen admits he is not the biggest fans of Balotelli’s he still admits that the 24-year-old remains the best option available to Rodgers.

But Jamie Carragher says Balotelli won’t be on Merseyside next term

Another former Red has also spoken out on the subject of the failing Italian though and claims his time at the club will be short-lived.

Carragher is clearly not a fan of Balotelli either, but whilst Owen thinks the striker should be given more time the ex-defender has twisted the knife.

“Do I think he’s going to be here long term? No. I’d be surprised to see him here next season if I’m being honest,” the 36-year-old told Sky Sports.