Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Riccardo Montolivo and Dani Ceballos Rumours

Liverpool may have been snubbed by AC Milan midfielder Riccardo Montolivo over the summer, according to the Italian's agent.

His agent, Giovanni Branchini told Calciomercato (h/t talkSPORT): 

"

There have been several teams asking about him, but neither us or Milan have taken any offers into consideration.

We can't forget he's a player who has been out for a year with his tibia injury, and then he had another operation.

I don't think the problem is a lack of fitness, but just a lack of game-time in general.

"

The Rossoneri captain would have been an excellent option in central midfield following the departure of Steven Gerrard.

Montolivo's work rate is outstanding, and as WhoScored.com noted, he also possesses fantastic distribution:

BeIN Sports commentator Matteo Bonetti believes the 30-year-old was exceptional in the season in which he achieved that feat:

However, as Branchini and Bonetti alluded, the player's recent history with injuries could make Liverpool's failure to land him a blessing in disguise.

While he has much to add when fit, Montolivo would have represented a significant risk that the Reds can ill afford.

The Times' Tony Barrett revealed this damning indictment of the signings made by Liverpool since the start of Brendan Rodgers' tenure as manager:

After the likes of Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Lazar Markovic failed to make a positive impact on Liverpool's team at significant cost to the Reds, senior players who are more of a guarantee to deliver should be the order of the day.

Montolivo may have been an excellent acquisition for Liverpool in the past and could well return to form and fitness again, but the Reds could equally have regretted a move for him if they'd landed him this summer.

In terms of snapping up potential stars for the future, it seems Rodgers has his eye on Real Betis youngster Dani Ceballos.

According to Darren Witcoop of the Mirror, Liverpool and Premier League rivals Arsenal are scouting the Spaniard, who is now in the final year of his contract.

Ceballos has a "buyout clause set at £7.5 million," but "they believe they can snap up the teenager for a cut-price fee" in January, "as Betis fear he will leave for nothing." Alternately, the 19-year-old could sign a pre-contract with them in the winter window, as they are a foreign club, and then join on a free transfer in the summer.

Further, according to football journalist Lucas Navarrete, Betis boss Pepe Mel admitted that the youngster's future is uncertain:

The central midfielder scored five goals and assisted five in Spain's second division as he helped fire Betis to La Liga promotion. Here are some of his highlights from the successful campaign:

Football writer Ryan Kelly highlighted Ceballos' presence as Betis' most appealing quality:

Liverpool are in need of a long-term replacement for Gerrard to partner Jordan Henderson in midfield.

It's still early days for the Spanish youngster, and of course it will require a player of immense talent to replace Gerrard's contribution, but if Ceballos can continue his highly promising development he could well be worth snapping up.