Liverpool transfer news: Alexandre Lacazette continues to stall over new deal

Reports suggest Lacazette, 24, could be on his way out of Olympique Lyon with no sign of a new deal being penned over the close season.

The forward's contract with Lyon does not expire until 2018, but L'Equipe claim the Ligue 1 runners-up are keen to finalise fresh terms with Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain all interested.

Liverpool need numbers to bolster their squad, and they also require quality if they are to challenge for a spot in the top four. Alexandre Lacazette appears to fit the bill. He can be deployed as a striker or a winger, and finished Ligue 1's leading marksman with 31 goals from 40 outings last term. But he will not come cheaply with a fee of £36 million touted.

Liverpool have stolen a march in the battle to sign Moussa Sissoko, according to L'Equipe.

Sissoko is also wanted by Arsenal and Manchester United but the France international may favour a move to Anfield as he is more likely to see playing time.

"With only one year to go until the Euros, you can’t change your club and find yourself on the bench,” said Sissoko, who moved to Newcastle from Toulouse in 2013.

“At the same time though, I want to play for one of the biggest clubs and I would especially like to play in the Champions League, something I can’t do at Newcastle.

“One day or another my time will come, I do though see myself staying in England.”

The report suggests that Liverpool's willingness to offer first team football could tip the transfer in their favour.

The assumption here is that Liverpool vaguely fit Sissoko’s desires; they are a big club, he is likely to play and they will be aiming to be in contention for a Champions League spot after missing out last year.

Of course, Sissoko could wait a year, play almost every game for Newcastle which would more than likely retain his spot in the France squad and then move. However, he appears intent on leaving St James’ Park this window and Liverpool look set to be the beneficiaries of his impatience.

If Liverpool can get a deal done for Sissoko then they absolutely must – he would go a long way to filling the void left by Steven Gerrard.

Liverpool are on red alert after Manchester United told Javier Hernandez he is free to find another club, according to a report.

Hernandez broke his collarbone playing for Mexico and could be out for up to eight weeks but United still hope to sell him this window.

The 27-year-old has scored 59 goals in 154 games for United but the Red Devils are ready to listen to offers for him.

The Daily Star report that United’s £8 million asking price for the Mexican will not deter Liverpool from making a bid.

Louis van Gaal, for whatever reason, does not rate Hernandez. He loaned him to Madrid last season and wants shot of him. However, £8 million is a very good price for a striker with a proven Premier League pedigree. Liverpool struggled for goals last season and the Mexican’s willingness to run in behind broadly suits manager Brendan Rodgers’ philosophy.

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is set to sign a new contract next week, according to reports.

The Slovakian will agree a new three-year contract and has sorted the terms in principle, with the details to be sorted out on Monday, the Liverpool Echo insists.

Skrtel, who is in the last 12 months of his contract, had previously slammed an “unacceptable offer” from Liverpool earlier this year.

But an agreement has now been reached and Skrtel will extend his seven-year stay at the club.

Liverpool are battling it out with Bayern Munich for Inter Milan’s Mateo Kovacic, according to reports.

The Croatian has been linked for many weeks with a move to Anfield, with Brendan Rodgers said to be keen on another midfielder after captain Steven Gerrard moved to LA Galaxy.

Italian newspaper Tuttosport, however, claims that Bayern boss Pep Guardiola has the 21-year-old top of his transfer list as well, which could scupper any move to Anfield.

With James Milner already brought in to replace Gerrard and Jordan Henderson, Joe Allen, Emre Can and Lucas Leiva also competing for midfield berths, will Rodgers really splash the cash again? It really doesn’t seem likely, especially as Inter boss Roberto Mancini has already said that he does not have to sell his top players.

Liverpool have signed Southampton and England right back Nathaniel Clyne on a long-term deal to further freshen up Brendan Rodgers's likely team.

The 24-year-old, who had one year left on his Southampton contract, has signed for a fee reported in British media to be around 12.5 million pounds ($19.57 million).

Clyne becomes Brendan Rodgers's sixth signing of the close season as the Liverpool boss continues to overhaul his squad following a frustrating campaign.

Clyne told Liverpool's official website: "I'm delighted and it's a dream move for me to come here and play for such a big club with all of its history. I can't wait to get started.

"As soon as Liverpool showed their interest in me, I was happy and just wanted the deal to go through."

Liverpool finished sixth last season -- one place above Southampton -- but have already bolstered their ranks with the signings of Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan and Joe Gomez.

Liverpool badly needed a new right-back and the club have acted swiftly in addressing that need. Clyne's talent is not in question but it is not certain whether he will cope with the additional scrutiny of playing for such a big club and in a defence which has never been particularly solid under Brendan Rodgers.

At 24-years-old, Liverpool are signing a player who still has a great deal of potential development and his athleticism should complement Rodgers's fluid system. This move was always going to happen and now it finally has. Who else are Liverpool going to sign? That's six new faces already...

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Liverpool could be prepared to allow Lucas Levia to leave with Inter Milan reportedly primed to launch a bid for the Brazilian.

The arrival of versatile midfielder James Milner from Manchester City further demotes Lucas in the Liverpool pecking order, with the Reds willing to listen to offers.

Inter initially tried to sign Lucas in January, but Brendan Rodgers was reluctant to let him leave as he helped Liverpool climb the Premier League table after a disappointing start to the campaign.

However, his services may no longer be deemed essential as Liverpool seek to bounce back from their underwhelming season.

Tuttosport are now claiming that the Serie A club will test Rodgers with a bid. Inter have already signed midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia from Monaco during the summer window.

With the arrival of Milner, and the expected positional shift for Emre Can to midfield, Lucas could be surplus to requirements at Liverpool.

He should command a relatively healthy fee – but the Reds hopes of snaring the reported £15 million valuation might be a little misguided.

Liverpool are on the verge of completing moves for three key signings, according to a report in the Daily Star.

Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne, Barcelona winger Bobby Adekanye and FC Copenhagen left-back Ludwig Augustinsson are all set to move to Anfield in the coming days.

Clyne will complete his £12.5m switch from St. Mary's; Barcelona whizz-kid Adekanye is expected to undergo a medical on Wednesday before arriving on a free transfer; and the Reds are also in advanced talks about a move for 21-year-old Augustinsson as Rodgers looks to provide competition for Alberto Moreno.

Jose Mourinho demonstrated the value of doing all the key business nice and early in the transfer window last season and Rodgers is clearly aiming to have the same decisiveness this time round.

Clyne looks a formality at this stage, while Adekanye and Augustinsson are the kind of exciting and developing players Liverpool have talked about targeting for some time. Whether or not fans feel that the club are overpaying for Clyne, there is no doubt that he is a big upgrade on Glen Johnson given his performances last season.

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Liverpool are hoping to find a way around the £32.5million buy-out clause in the contract of Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke, according to the Independent.

One option for them is using Fabio Borini – who has been little more than a bit-part player for them – as a makeweight in the deal.

Rickie Lambert could also be an option with his chances of a starting spot hindered even further by the arrival of Firmino.

It is understandable Liverpool’s interest in Benteke given how he has been revitalised under Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood. But using Borini as a sweetener seems unlikely given he is yet to prove himself in the Premier League.

Surely a cash-only deal is the most likely outcome, if the deadlock in negotiations is to be broken.

Liverpool have been urged to make a bid a bid for Sevilla striker Carlos Bacca by the player's agent.

The Colombian forward apparently has a list of clubs he fancies joining, and plenty of interest after leading Sevilla to successive Europa League triumphs.

But his agent told The Guardian that there has still been no concrete bid, and suggested that Bacca is getting frustrated at being caught in an increasingly-complicated game of cat-and-mouse - despite a £21 million transfer buy-out clause which ought to have made things simple.

"We have had lots of interest but so far there has been no official approach," Bacca's agent said.

"I spoke with Carlos on Wednesday night and we agreed we need a real solution. Clubs are telling him not to sign anything until they have made an offer but we are still waiting.

"Liverpool and another English club are among those that have shown an interest but there are also clubs in Italy. What is clear is that they must meet the release clause but at this stage nobody has."

Liverpool's deals for Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino and England full-back Nathaniel Clyne have turned fans' support around in style.

Manager Brendan Rodgers and CEO Ian Ayre took huge flak for the Reds' poor season - but the two biggest deals of the Premier League summer so far have left fans frothing at the mouth.

Here's how Liverpool could line up next season:

Liverpool will cash in on Raheem Sterling now that Hoffenheim have sold them Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino.

With the completion of the £29 million Roberto Firmino deal, Liverpool have turned their attentions to finding the best possible buyer for Raheem Sterling. Manchester City are expected to stump up £45m to complete the deal, according to multiple reports. But the Daily Express claims that Chelsea are still in the mix and ready to offer the Reds an unconditional £40m (rather than the £35m plus £5m add-ons City wanted to pay).

Sterling's exit is now absolutely a matter of time - the money is in place for a prodigiously-talented young player to go to a title-chasing club. Our money is on Manchester City - Chelsea have far less need for a skilful playmaker-cum-forward. The Blues are probably only in the mix to make sure Liverpool don't land Sterling on the cheap.

Roberto Firmino was previously thought to be close to joining Manchester United but reports in Brazil now state Liverpool are clear favourites. According to Globoesporte, the transfer fee could be in the region of €25m (£18m) and Firmino could well sign a five-year deal at Anfield rather than join Manchester United or Manchester City. Hoffenheim have now apparently signed off on the deal.

This would be a real coup for Liverpool, although if Firmino is opting for Anfield then it’s hard not to think that interest from Old Trafford cooled somewhat. Either way, he is an exciting player and a great possible addition for Brendan Rodgers.

Out-of-favour striker Fabio Borini’s disappointing spell at Liverpool appears to be drawing to a close after his agent criticised the club’s treatment of his client. Borini opted to stay at Anfield last summer, despite real interest from QPR and Sunderland – where he spent a successful season on loan in 2013/14. A record of three goals from 38 games did little to endear himself to the fans, with just one of those goals coming last season. And his agent Marco de Marchi now understands it is time for Borini to move on.

"We expected more consideration from Liverpool," he told Corriere dello Sport. "Fabio feels like having a new experience. He has no preference, he just wants a team that gives him a clear chance to prove himself. Right now he feels like a lion in a cage. Top clubs in Europe are keen on him, from the Premier League to the Bundesliga and there also clubs in Italy, but many clubs in Italy have had coaching changes and that has slowed things down."

Yet another inadequate signing from the Brendan Rodgers era. Fabio Borini’s agent is right, of course. There is no future for his client at Anfield. Why he felt compelled to announce it to the media, however, is a mystery. Everyone knew that already.

The Italian has been a huge disappointment at Anfield, unable to deputise sufficiently for the injured Daniel Sturridge on the rare occasion he was called upon. However, his stint at Sunderland suggests he can offer something to a mid-table Premier League outfit.

Italian daily Corriere dello Sport have reported that Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero is looking to bring controversial forward Mario Balotelli back to Italy after he struggled to make an impact at Anfield.

However, the 24-year-old’s €6m-per-year wages could be a stumbling block as Sampdoria wouldn’t be able to afford the salary and would need Liverpool to continue contributing.

"I would love to see him here but I can not afford it," Ferrero said on Monday when asked about a move.

Having signed Danny Ings already this summer and added Belgian Divock Origi to the squad, Balotelli may well be surplus to requirements next season.

In an idea world Liverpool would sell Balotelli and forget his £16m move ever happened but unfortunately it's not going to be that siimple. The club's best option may well be a series of loan moves to clubs who are willing to pay a portion of his large wages. If Sampdoria are willing to do that and Balotelli is willing to move then a deal could be on the cards.

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Liverpool are weighing up a bid for Charlton teenager Joe Gomez as a replacement for the soon-to-be-offloaded Sebastian Coates.

With Sunderland seemingly set to pay £4million to make Coates' loan last season into a permanent deal, the Reds are on the lookout for cover at centre-back.

Press Association Sport understands Gomez, aged 18, is of interest and while no formal offer has yet been made, the club believe there is a possibility of signing the England Under-19 defender for about £3.5m.

Gomez, whose breakthrough season in the SkyBet Championship last term saw him make 24 appearances, is viewed as a long-term prospect and - like Ilori - would more than likely be loaned out for more experience.

Liverpool seem to have settled on a transfer policy based around British talent this summer after last year’s struggles. Gomez would most likely be one for the future, as the Reds currently have four senior central defenders in Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho, last summer's £20m arrival Dejan Lovren and Kolo Toure.

While the acquisition of Gomez makes sense and is prudent, this is a transfer with the future in mind but Liverpool are in need of defensive reinforcements – they may have four centre backs but, put simply, they were not good enough last season.

Liverpool are reportedly keen on Barcelona defender Marc Bartra, who has a mdoest release clause, and a bright future according to Spain's manager.

Catalan newspaper Sport claims that Liverpool are among the interested parties in the 24-year-old, whose €12m release clause and bright future - Vincente del Bosque has called him the future of Spanish football - getting even the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester City interested.

But Liverpool's need of improvement in defence is probably greater than any other big club in Europe, and if it's regular football that Bartra wants then Brendan Rodgers will surely be able to guarantee it for him.

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Inter coach Roberto Mancini believes Mateo Kovacic will stay at the club, despite interest from Liverpool.

It had been reported that the Reds had struck a deal with the 21-year-old Croatian midfielder, but Mancini does not believe that is true.

"He’ll become a champion,” Mancini told Sky Italia. "Of course, he’s still lacking some things, but he’s improved a lot, and I think that’s showed.

"At the moment there’s nothing, I think he’ll stay. I don’t think we’ll sell our top players, I don’t think that’s a risk.”

Agreeing a deal for one of Europe's most hyped young player was never going to be as easy as reports suggested. The claimed £17m fee seemed low and why would Inter agree to sell quickly rather than waiting for higher bids from other clubs? That doesn't mean a deal couldn't happen but it's going to be a lot more complicated and expensive than some people suggested.

Liverpool striker Fabio Borini is set to leave the club this summer as manager Brendan Rodgers restructures his forward line.

The Reds confirmed on Monday that they had reached an agreement for the signing of Burnley striker Danny Ings, pushing Borini further down the pecking order.

Borini was Brendan Rodgers' first signing as Liverpool manager back in 2012, but the 24-year-old has endured a frustrating time at the club, scoring just two Premier League goals.

"Soon we will have to talk to Liverpool," Borini's agent told Italian news outlet Calciomercato."

Several teams have asked for Fabio on loan, but the Liverpool board have always refused, especially in light of the £10m bid that was rejected last year from Sunderland."

In truth, Fabio Borini should have left Liverpool last season when Sunderland made an offer to sign him on a permanent basis, but, to his credit, he tried to make things work at Anfield. Despite being coached by Brendan Rodgers at Chelsea and Swansea in the past, Borini's not been seen as good enough and with Danny Ings and Divock Origi arriving he'll have even fewer chances to shine. His time on loan at Sunderland showed he has got talent and at 24 he needs to be playing more regularly than he is now. With teams like Lazio and Inter Milan said to be interested in bringing him back to Italy, he has surely played his last game for Liverpool.