A Serie A transfer jigsaw is emerging for Brendan Rodgers.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers’ phone is set to be buzzing with calls from Italy this January transfer window if reports from the Mail are anything to go by, with a complicated transfer tapestry involving Serie A emerging as the key to the Reds’ hopes of doing the business that they want to during the winter window.
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Rodgers is hoping to bring two new players to Anfield during January, both from Italy, but this is only a possibility if the club are able to shift one flop off the wage bill – and potentially allow another senior star to leave as well.
These are the four deals in question:
Mario Balotelli (Out – Sampdoria)
The hinge on which the network of deals hinges is Liverpool’s ability to shift Balotelli, who has been dreadful since the Reds spent £16m on bringing the Italian international to the club in the summer. Surprise Seria A high flyers Sampdoria are the club linked with the maverick forward, and Rodgers has to either engineer a sale or, at worst, a trade, if he is able to make his January transfer wishes happen.
Sergio Romero (In – Sampdoria)
Coming the other way from Genoa based club Sampdoria would be goalkeeper Sergio Romero, with the experienced Argentine pinpointed as the man to come in and replace Simon Mignolet between the Anfield sticks after a frustrating season from the Belgian international so far. Romero was impressive for Argentina at the World Cup and would represent an intelligent short term acquisition for Rodgers.
Gonzalo Higuain (In – Napoli)
If Liverpool are able to shift Balotelli, it is Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain who Rodgers views as the player to target, with the Reds ready to pay £30 million to land the prolific Argentine international. The report suggests that Liverpool are well aware of their desperate need for a goalscorer and ready to pay a big fee to land what should be one guaranteed.
Lucas Leiva (Out – Napoli, Inter Milan or Sampdoria)
The final deal is indicated to be less certain and intertwined with the other transfers involves defensive midfielder Lucas Leiva, with Serie A sides reported to be interested in taking the Brazilian international away from Anfield after a long spell with the club. Napoli, Sampdoria and Inter Milan are all interested.