Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Fernando Llorente and Pedro Rumours

Liverpool may have to explore other alternatives aside from Fernando Llorente this summer if they are to bolster their striker options, with reports claiming the Reds will face major competition to sign the Juventus star.

That’s according to Corriere dello Sport (h/t the Daily Telegraph) who claim that as well as the Anfield outfit, Porto, Sevilla and Monaco are also interested in the 30-year-old. The piece states that the Bianconeri want a fee of circa €20 million for the Spanish international but “will probably let him go for less” because of their forward options and the player's age.

Here’s a look at what Llorente could potentially bring to Liverpool’s front line:

Things haven’t worked out too well for Llorente since leaving Athletic Club for the Serie A champions. He’s done a decent job for Juve, but the striker has never quite been able to push on to the next level during his time in Turin.

Daniela Santoni/Associated Press

As we can see here courtesy of WhoScored.com’s Ben McAleer, the forward has been gradually deteriorating after a prosperous start:

With Paulo Dybala and Mario Madzukic drafted in, the chances of Llorente getting regular game time now look unlikely. But would he be the right striker for a Liverpool side that had perennial problems with their centre-forward positions last season? At first glance, probably not.

Nonetheless, Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe thinks he’d be an ideal fit for the Premier League:

Indeed, Llorente is an elegant target man, possessing refined hold-up skills, marvellous aerial ability and a nose for goals. His burly somatotype would be difficult for defenders in English football to deal with, and given the rumbustious manner in which he plays the game, the Spaniard would have no problem adapting to the division’s often abrasive nature.

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But with players like Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino in the team next season, the Reds need a striker who will stretch the opposition and enhance their intricate talents. In the right setup, Llorente would be a brilliant acquisition, but the Reds need a different type of forward at the moment.

Chelsea Join Pedro Race

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According to Fernando Baquero of Sport, Chelsea are the latest club to lodge their interest in Barcelona winger Pedro, who has apparently already rejected offers from Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool.

The piece claims that, despite committing himself to the club with a new contract recently, the interest from the Blues “will create doubts” about whether or not Pedro has a long-term future at the Camp Nou.

Here’s a look at what the 27-year-old is capable of at his very best:

Pedro’s stock has plummeted somewhat unfairly in the past 12 months. Liverpool’s sale of Luis Suarez to the Blaugrana has left the player without a regular spot in the team, and although the winger has been regularly utilised from the substitutes bench, a sustained spell of starts was scarce.

Tighe thinks that he was often trying too hard when he did get a chance in the team:

It’s easy to see why Liverpool were potentially in for Pedro. After all, while intricate talents such as Firmino and Coutinho are exciting for the Reds supporters, at times last season Brendan Rodgers was without a forceful, raw edge from the flanks. It’s definitely something the Barcelona man would provide.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

If Chelsea are in for him, it’ll be intriguing to see whether that would rekindle any potential interest from Liverpool, PSG or Arsenal. But with all of those sides able to offer lucrative financial packages as well as Champions League football, any potential pursuit of this player looks likely to be a fruitless one for the Merseysiders.