Liverpool transfer news: Borini could be used as makeweight in Benteke deal

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.

- - -

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.

- - -

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.