Liverpool Transfer News: Thomas Vermaelen Bid Made, Fresh Javier Pastore Rumours
Liverpool have reportedly made an offer for Barcelona’s out-of-favour centre-back Thomas Vermaelen.
That’s according to Lluis Miguelsanz of Sport, who has stated there is “concrete” interest from the Reds, who will not part with any more than €10 million (£7.75 million) in their pursuit of the player.
Barca are reportedly holding out for more offers for the former Arsenal man, with West Ham United also noted as possible suitors.
Miguelsanz added that with Barca seeking to “remodel their defence” Vermaelen has been told he can find a new club. The Belgium international has been at the Camp Nou for two seasons, with injury issues hampering his quest to make an impression in the first team.
At his best Vermaelen does have a lot to offer and should Barcelona cash in, there will inevitably be suitors. Here’s what he’s capable of:
From Liverpool’s point of view, the 30-year-old is experienced in English football. When he arrived at Arsenal from Ajax, Vermaelen was outstanding, defending forcefully, balancing the back four and chipping in with plenty of key goals.
But even before he moved to Barcelona, he was battling with injuries, and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger eventually settled on a defensive partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.
The Camp Nou offered the chance of a fresh start, although, if anything, the centre-back’s stock has fallen further.
The Reds look as though they will be without Mamadou Sakho for a while, though, after he decided not to challenge the results of a failed drug test, per BBC Sport’s Ben Smith. Bleacher Report’s Jack Lusby thinks he’ll be a big miss:
Vermaelen isn’t the antidote for this problem. Manager Jurgen Klopp needs players who align with his philosophy, who are hungry for success and most importantly, fit enough to play the high intensity football he demands.
The Belgian once would have been perfect for this setup; sadly, this version of the player is not up to the challenge.
Liverpool in Javier Pastore Battle
According to Tuttosport (h/t Dan Gibbs of the Daily Express) Liverpool will compete with Chelsea, Juventus and Barcelona in an attempt to land Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Javier Pastore.
“Tuttosport claim PSG will only consider listening to offers of around £23 million for the 26-year-old with Laurent Blanc’s side eager to recoup a fair amount of the £33 million they paid for him in 2011,” added Gibbs, who also suggested Chelsea are the favourites to sign the Argentina international.
Pastore isn’t a regular for the French champions, although there’s no doubt he possesses the natural talent to make an impression at Anfield. Here is a look at the kind of moments he can conjure on the field:
Bleacher Report’s Andrew Gibney thinks with more big names set to come in at the Parc des Princes, players like Pastore could be moved on:
It’s difficult to see Pastore fitting in under Klopp, though. In terms of flair and creativity there aren’t many who compare to the PSG man.
However, his playing style is a little flyaway and if he’s not getting the ball into his feet on the half turn regularly, then the 26-year-old can often become redundant in games.
The German evidently wants players who are multifaceted in his Liverpool team, able to make an impact both in attack and defence.
The fact Pastore is often one-dimensional in his playing style is likely to put Klopp off becoming involved in any auction for his services.
Jonas Hector Boost
The agent for FC Cologne defender Jonas Hector has admitted the club will listen to offers for him at the end of the season, with Liverpool strongly linked to the Germany international.
“We must talk to interested clubs in consultation with Koln but this will not happen before the end of the Bundesliga,” said the player’s representative, Rainer Derber, per Tom Olver of Metro, who notes the Reds' interest. “He will not only benefit from a transfer, but so will Koln.”
Hector has been impressive in a variety of different roles for the Bundesliga side this season. Although he’s a natural left-back, in various games the 25-year-old has been deployed as a holding midfielder. His defensive instincts, calmness on the ball and industry have allowed him to shine there too.
Lusby wrote for Bleacher Report UK that he’s a player who’d be a fine signing for the club:
Not only does starting left-back Alberto Moreno need competition in his role, every squad needs a player who can plug a variety of gaps. Hector has the attributes to do exactly that and in certain games, when a little more defensive diligence is required, could step in for Moreno.
Cologne want a fee of £12 million for their man according to Olver. So while this is not a deal to get pulses racing on Merseyside, it’d be a very shrewd bit of business from Klopp if it does get over the line.
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