Liverpool FC: Charlie Adam and the Reds Top 20 Realistic Summer Transfer Targets
The summer transfer window is quickly approaching, and with so many names in the press over the past few months as possible targets for the Reds, it seems like it would be prudent to try and weed out the ones that are actually feasible.
It has been an up and down year, but the ups have come more often in the last few months. The ship seems to have been set right with Kenny Dalglish back in the driver's seat for the club, and his influence continues to be seen more and more each and every week.
With so many injuries, and an ever shrinking chance at European Football next season, the Merseysiders are constantly being linked with the next group of stars to head their way since the arrival of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.
The defense is the most suspect area as it has been decimated by injury time and time again over the last few seasons. However, the Reds' need for one or two natural wide players is ever more pronounced now that they have Andy Carroll up front.
David N'Gog also has played a great part for the club, but he needs time on loan to truly develop and the Reds are short on a reliable striker to step in behind Suarez, Carroll and Dirk Kuyt to alleviate the pressure on the three and also to push for a place in training to cause the team to work harder and progress even higher.
It is truly hard to determine which of these is the most important area. There is also growing concern that Steven Gerrard needs a replacement in the wings to learn from him before his legs and body run out.
So, in no particular order, here is a list of the players that seem the top 20 most likely to don the Red of Liverpool and come out to the Anfield Kop's full voice ringing out the verse's and chorus of "You'll Never Walk Alone."
Santiago Cazorla
1 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £11 million
Villarreal attacker Santiago Cazorla, 26, is believed to be a candidate for Liverpool in the summer after he was linked with the club in January. With David N'Gog at the right age for a loan move to secure first team action for the next two seasons, it would be nice to have another striker behind Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.
Cazorla is also a skilled wide player, and his arrival would most likely see the departure of out of favor Maxi Rodriguez. The Argentine is no longer at his best and will most likely be out of Anfield in the next few months.
Liverpool will most likely be fighting with Arsenal for the services of Cazorla, as the Gunners look to find another attacker in the wide areas as a replacement for the soon-to-be-departed Andrei Arshavin.
Eljero Elia
2 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £12 million.
Eljero Elia continues to look like a possible new wide player to arrive in the summer. He was a primary target during January before Roy Hogdson was sent packing and is still continually linked with the club through the media.
With a mutual admiration believed in the cards, Hamburg will most likely cash in on their young Dutchman over the summer. His speed and pace on the wings would provide a more cost effective option than Ashley Young, and he would still give the Reds a proven international talent.
Emilio Izaguirre
3 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £7.5 million.
Celtic's Honduran left back, Emilio Izaguirre, has caught the eye of the Liverpool staff. He only just joined the Old Firm in August following the World Cup in South Africa, but it is said that the Reds have been watching him the last several months quite extensively.
He is believed to be a possible star if brought to the English Premier League, but current Celtic boss Neil Lennon insists Izaguirre is not for sale. However, the Glasgow club would find it hard to turn down an offer of around £7.5 million with the knowledge that the player would like to test himself at a higher level than in Scotland.
His price tag could prove the best option for the time being as it would allow more spending room for attackers and midfielders.
Although he will still have three years left on his four-year contract with the Hoops, he is still looking to move on, and Arsenal have also been linked with a move for the South American. However, if the Gunners do make the first move, it could open a door for the exit of another possible Reds' target.
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Fabio Coentrao
4 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £23 million.
Benfica and Portuguese star Fabio Coentrao is rated as one of the best fullbacks in the world and is quite likely to be one of, if not the most, expensive defenders on the market this summer. That looks to have him priced out of Liverpool's range.
Liverpool appear to have been interested in Coentrao for quite sometime, however, the feeling is that they have too much work to do in the transfer market in order to splash in excess of £20 million when cheaper alternatives are available with the likes of Leighton Baines, Jose Enrique or even in a returning Emiliano Insua, though the latter is highly unlikely.
The 23-year-old is renowned for his tireless attacking, much like his former teammate, David Luiz, who has shined for Chelsea since leaving Benfica. A tenacious and energetic style would perfectly suit Liverpool's philosophy of play since Kenny Dalglish took over in place of Roy Hogdson.
Liverpool would welcome him with open arms, but the fact of the matter is there are many more options with clubs that have bigger purses, not to mention Champion's League action, than the Reds.
However, despite much speculation, it seems that he may not even come to the Premier League as he appears poised to join Bayern Munich.
Gaël Clichy
5 of 20
Estimate Transfer Value: £12 million.
The 25-year-old Arsenal defender and French international Gaël Clichy has been reported to have decided to push for a move after contract talks broke down with his current side. If so, a move to Merseyside might be an attractive offer in the long run, and the new owners would have the monetary sway to possibly land him.
Arsene Wenger has relied on Clichy to make more that 180 appearances for the Gunners since he was purchased from Cannes in 2003.
However, with eight years of service in the squad, there is no silverware to account for in the last six since the 2005 FA Cup. Unless they pull of a comeback for the ages and beat Manchester United to the title, Clichy may feel it is time for a change.
Simon Kjær
6 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £10 million.
The young Danish international central defender Simon Kjær has been linked with Liverpool, Tottenham and other Premier League clubs for several months now having never gotten his career off the ground with Germany's VfL Wolfsburg after moving from a bright few years in Palermo at the start of the season.
His time in Italy showcased his rise to fame as he scored five goals in 62 appearances for the Aquile as he helped them to a fifth-placed finish and a Europa League birth in the the Serie A.
With only a handful of appearances for his new club and what appears as countless breakdowns between communication with his German outfit, the 21-year-old seems to have become disillusioned and is in need of a change.
A possible link up with international teammate Daniel Agger would be a signing point, thought it looks like he more than likely would only see his other fellow compatriot, Christian Poulsen, in passing
Pablo Armero
7 of 20
Estimate Transfer Value: £9 Million
Udinese left back Pablo Armero looks to be another in the long list of possible suitors for Liverpool's left back position. Fabio Aurelio once again has gone down and was only in his first game back.
The post-match analysis of Sunday's clash with Arsenal featured comments about the injury-plagued star, as he is loved in the dressing room and by everyone at the club, but his constant struggle to remain fit is going to possibly end his chances of staying come summer.
Armero is needed as a steward for at least two to three years. Young Jack Robinson, who got the run out on Sunday, is believed to truly be the next to take hold of the position, but at 18, he still needs time to develop properly.
The 24-year-old Colombian International has already earned 14 caps for his nation and has only been in Italy since the past summer, but he has caught the eye of Kenny Dalglish and other members of the Reds backroom staff.
Steven Defour
8 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £9 million.
In a Talksport article yesterday, the debate over Steven Defour going to Manchester United has been impeded by a now possible move to Liverpool.
The 23-year-old Belgian started his international career as a teenager and has built years of experience for someone of his age.
English and worldwide attention for the youngster has Standard Liege poised to most likely cash in on their young player come summer time, and he would be a great asset to the Liverpool midfield as it seems many players will be making an Anfield exit this summer.
Blaise Matuidi
9 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £8 million
The defensive part of the Liverpool midfield is in need of new additions. Christian Poulsen finally started to show his ability under Kenny Dalglish, in several games but he is not believed to be a true long-term replacement for midfield bulldog Javier Mascherano who departed for the Nou Camp at the start season.
Damion Camolli has turned eyes to one of his former players in St. Etienne's Blaise Matuidi. The French defensive midfielder has been an enforcer for his club in the past few seasons and Camolli wants to bring in his former clubs man with the belief that he will develop into a top defensive midfielder.
He looks to have the potential to be much like Chelsea's Michael Essien at his best, and that kind of driving force from the deep part of the midfield could prove advantageous for the Reds future attacking schemes under Kenny Dalglish. He is a hotly tracked item by a host of teams.
His low price tag of around £8 million also makes him a very attractive signing option for the Reds.
Keisuke Honda
10 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £12 million.
Japanese playmaker Keisuke Honda has turned into a hotly tracked prospect across Europe since his performances in last season's Champions League with CSKA Moscow, and in Japan's four games at the 2010 World Cup, where he produced two goals and one assist.
He has been speculated to be moving to Liverpool and many other clubs during the past year. However, he has now reportedly decided to stay in Moscow, where he signed a four-year deal with the CSKA Moscow Army Men in 2010 from Dutch Eredivisie side VVV Venlo.
While he is valued around £12 million, the 24-year-old's agent could also just be playing the game in hopes of rising the stakes and the price for his client. With prices being constantly inflated in the last several seasons, it seems only logical for a team or agent to try and build as much value into their player or client as possible.
Speculation over Honda, however, continues and he would be a welcomed addition of creativity for Liverpool's wide area and might prove another affordable alternative to the likes of Ashley Young. Although he has not put up the numbers as far as statistical categories, his flair and pace would be the key havoc-wreaking qualities that are so needed at Anfield Road these days.
Diego Perotti
11 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £11 million.
The 22-year-old Argentine attacking wide man Diego Perotti has been in fine form for La Liga club Sevilla this season. He is amongst a group of highly talented youngsters including Jesus Navas, Ivan Rakitic and Diego Capel, who all have attracted interest from larger clubs throughout the last several seasons.
His great foot skills allow him to be effective from either flank, and Liverpool will look to him as a possible addition of attacking flair from the wings, but Everton and Newcaslte United also appear poised to go after the youngster.
Sevilla find themselves in nearly the same spot as Liverpool at the moment, sitting in sixth place with almost identical records, in their league and being a decent points haul away from fourth and a Champions League berth.
Liverpool's continued interest in Ashley Young and Wolves midfielder Matt Jarvis is legitimate. However, Perotti may also be an option should the talented winger decide to leave Spain at the end of the season, and his signing would also continue John W. Henry's philosophy of investing in youth.
Niko Kranjcar
12 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £10 million.
With the rise of Gareth Bale to stardom, Tottenham's Niko Kranjcar is looking for a way out of London as his playing time has been cut drastically short, and his desire for first team chances look to be more satisfied away from Spurs.
He has also been on the Liverpool radar and is being looked into as another midfield bolstering move. With much of his talent remaining unseen in the first half of the season in London due to injury, his recent return has seen him net two winning goals from the bench and the super sub could move north as Tottenham look to add funds for another attacking shopping spree in the summer, as Kranjcar looks ever more like surplus thanks to Bale.
Recent reports from NESN indicate that Kranjcar would jump at the chance to join Liverpool in the summer.
Josip Ilicic
13 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £8 million.
The 23-year-old Palermo starlet Josip Ilicic has been linked with Liverpool since before the January transfer window. This continues to bring to light that he is a possible prime target identified by Damien Camolli as a youth infusion in the wide areas is a goal for the club under John W. Henry.
Josip Ilicic arrived in Sicily for Palermo only this summer just after his former club Maribor upset the Italians 3-2 in the Europa League. His attacking prowess and taste for goal had come along with him, and his first goal in Serie A was against Inter at home, his second came only four days later against Juventus, proving that he can score against potent opposition.
He certainly has made his mark since moving to the Island in the South and is yet to look back. His undisclosed but estimated modest price tag in the late summer of £1.6 million looks to be on the rise along with his stock, and the current transfer market could see his cost more than triple. Liverpool is one of many clubs believed to be in the hunt to acquire the young winger.
He is Palermo's second leading scorer of their current league campaign with eight goals and five assists, proving he can add to the offense.
Ashley Young
14 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £18-25 million.
Aston Villa's Ashley Young is out of contract next summer, and his refusal to commit long term to the Villans with a new contract suggests that they more than likely will cash in before the player leaves next summer for nothing.
The Reds were keen on him as a target throughout the January transfer window, but nothing materialized, as Luis Suarez was the main prize for Liverpool at the time, and the sale of Fernando Torres facilitated the funds for the arrival of Andy Carroll.
With Dalglish more than believed to have the job as permanent boss locked up pending a signature, he will be looking to add width with a young attacker who already has Premiership experience. Monday reports suggested that Young was already on the way, but that remains to be seen.
Most recently it was reported that Villa wanted £25 Million for him according to Goal.com. At that price, I truly couldn't see the Reds going after him when they could purchase two others for the price of one.
Jose Enrique
15 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £9 Million.
The transfer of Jose Enrique has continued to gain speed ever since Andy Carroll joined Liverpool from Newcastle. Reports on Monday claimed that he and Ashley Young had already agreed deals with the club. Having been the target of much criticism during his early days at Newcastle, the Spanish left back has proven to be a solid choice for the Magpies.
Having played a crucial part in the promotion campaign for the club last season and providing great cover and ability on the left side since returning to Premier League action, the belief that he could be on the move is more and more likely to come true.
It was reported in the Daily Mail recently that Enrique was refusing to even enter contract discussions until the Geordie club had guaranteed their status in the English top flight next season. His transfer fee could be subject to inflation as it is also believed AC Milan are looking to attract the 25-year-old.
What could hamper the deal however, is that Newcastle are reported to be asking for Jay Spearing to be included in the deal. The Liverpool man has been making a name for himself in the place of injured Steven Gerrard, and he may have made himself more valuable to his club.
Joe Cole has failed to live up to his former self and, if not used in a transfer deal, is most likely to join Tottenham for around £5 million in the summer.
Matt Jarvis
16 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £8 Million
Another English wide player in the cross hairs for Liverpool is Wolverhampton's Matt Jarvis. With the Wanderers looking ever more like they will succumb to the drop and young former-Red Adam Hammill having recently joined in January, it looks like Jarvis will more than likely move on.
He has been one of Wolves standout players this season, and his stock is on the rise and is now believed to be valued in the £8 million range. Wolves would heap a great return on his purchase as he only cost them £400,000 in 2007 when brought in from Gillingham.
Jarvis would most likely arrive with the addition of Ashley Young or Stewart Downing, as all three are constantly linked with a move to Merseyside at the moment.
Leighton Baines
17 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £11 million.
Another English international is on the Liverpool radar in their own city. Just across the way at Goodison Park lies the home of the Reds' greatest rival, Everton. The Blue side of Merseyside are also the owners of one of the Reds favorite targets to fill the left back void they have suffered with all season.
Leighton Baines has proven to be one of the best and most consistent left backs in the English game for the Blues under David Moyes, and the Toffees would be hard pressed to let him go, and it would be a knife in the back to many Blues fans if he did make the switch.
Despite being a local rival, the fact that he is homegrown talent and a local lad gives the Reds a chance.
Baines is also a primary up-and-coming starlet of the English National Team just like many other stars on the Reds wish list. The idea of many young international teammates having a chance to partner, if more are acquired, is believed to be of mutual benefit club and country alike.
With Baines being owned by Everton, it will be no easy bidding war for the Reds to win. The 26-year-old is expected to demand a decent price tag if he can be persuaded to swap Blue for Red and face the boo-boys at every Merseyside Derby he is left to participate in.
Gary Cahill
18 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £20 million.
Gary Cahill has proven to be a dominant force at the back during his time with Bolton. His performances this season have seen him rise in value ever higher, and he is looked at as the future of England's central defense.
He also is believe to be a man capable of possible filling the boots of an aging Jamie Carragher. He also has the ability to get forward and score which would be a welcomed addition, especially if paired with a healthy Daniel Agger. He has 11 goals in 105 career appearances for the Trotters.
The 25-year-old is most likely going to have one of the biggest decisions of his life during the summer transfer window. Competition looks steep if the Reds are going to prize away the English National Team's most talented up-and-coming defender, as Arsenal also appear to be right there waiting to pounce as well.
Stewart Downing
19 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £10 Million.
Stewart Downing has been a consistent threat down the wide area for several years since his rise to notoriety at Middlesbrough and his continued growth at Aston Villa. A product of one the most talent-producing youth systems at Middlesbrough, he has been ever present on many managerial want lists.
Recently all the hype has been placed on a Liverpool move for Ashley Young in the summer, but it has also been said in recent press that Dalglish favors a move for Downing instead.
With six goals and seven assists in 33 games for the Villans this season Downing is statistically right in line with fellow winger Ashley Young, who has six and nine.
That kind of production would be welcomed to Anfield as their two natural wingers in Maxi Rodriguez and Joe Cole have only produced four goals and one assist all season. They have missed the opportunity to have made much more of an impact at crucial times, Rodriguez muffing at Chelsea, and the Reds continue to be starved of talent in the wide areas.
Both Downing and Young have been in fine form for both club and country, but Downing might prove a little more affordable in the long run as he has not been the subject of as much hype as Young this season.
Charlie Adam
20 of 20
Estimated Transfer Value: £16 Million
Blackpool's Captain fantastic, and PFA Player of the Year Nominee, Charlie Adam, was a hotly contested target of the Reds during the January window, but his manager Ian Holloway was unwilling to relinquish his star player.
However, with the Seasiders looking more and more like they may succumb to the drop after failing to continue in the form that saw them stay in the top half most of the first half of the season. Holloway now insists that the star midfielder's future is uncertain. What is certain is that Liverpool still want him.
If they do go down, Adam will most certainly move on, and when he does it will be an all out battle for his signature. Liverpool are being reported to be willing to splash the cash for Adam and their other prime targets this summer.
Many believe he is the heir apparent to Steven Gerrard if he can be brought in during the summer, and he would add some much needed talent and winning mentality to the middle of the park for the Reds.
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