Liverpool FC Transfer Rumors: Reds Miss Out on Another Potential Signing

Liverpool Miss Out on Another Potential Signing

After courting potential signing Connor Wickham since January, Liverpool have missed out on the teenage England striker.

From being in a reported pole position to sign the former Ipswich Town youngster, Sunderland have swooped for the potential star for an estimated fee of around £8 million (could potentially rise to £12 million) on a four-year contract.

An £8 million fee may seem a bit farfetched, especially due to the fact that he is only 18 years of age and has no experience of having played in the Premier League. However, he has steadily improved and developed whilst playing regularly for the past two seasons in the Championship for Ipswich Town.

His performances and ability did not go unnoticed as he was selected by Stuart Pearce to travel to Denmark to compete in the Under-21 European Championships.

Many other Premier League clubs were reportedly interested in Wickham, but Liverpool appeared to be in the driving seat in regards to a possible deal with Kenny Dalglish keen.

Yet, as with Sylvain Marveaux, speculation and reported interest alone doesn’t finalise a deal. The winger opted to sign for Newcastle United rather than Liverpool, despite being coveted by the Reds since January.

The signing of Wickham too has seemingly slipped through their hands also, as Liverpool’s sole transfer signing remains Sunderland’s Jordan Henderson.

In hindsight, Wickham may feel a move to Sunderland is more beneficial to his career, given his age and development that is yet to be made.

At Liverpool he would find himself below the pecking order of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, but more opportunities are likely with the Tyneside club yet to replace the void left by Darren Bent.

Another potential signing, and winger, Liverpool have missed out on as well is Dimitri Payet. The Saint-Etienne midfielder has chosen to remain in France with champions Lille in a deal believed to be around £9 million.

His performances helped Saint-Etienne to a mid-table finish with 13 goals and four assists to his credit. Nonetheless, the lure of playing in the Champions League is far greater than a season in the Premier League for Payet.

World Cup winner and Under-21 European Championship winner Juan Mata remains on Liverpool’s radar, but unfortunately for them, the Valencia man has attracted interest from Arsenal in recent days.

With Arsenal able to offer Mata Champions League football, Liverpool could miss out on the starlet.

Yet it seems Liverpool may have the £20 million offer that could lure Valencia to sell, whereas Arsene Wenger and Arsenal’s transfer policy could resort them to be unwilling to match the Spanish side’s price.

Wigan Athletic’s Charles N’Zogbia is another name who has been reported to be linked but nothing concrete offer is suggested to have been made. Yet he may fit the criteria of having Premier League experience to his credit and would potentially fit in quicker rather than someone abroad.

However, with nothing mentioned recently, he may not be a priority compared to other targets.

The transfer saga of Aston Villa’s Stewart Downing remains on going and does not seem to have reached its conclusion as of yet. One feels that, despite Villa wanting to keep Downing following the sale of Ashley Young to Manchester United, the only way the wide man will have his move to Anfield granted is via a transfer request.

Last season, the Premier League witnessed an array of players handing in transfer requests to engineer moves elsewhere, and the trend could continue should Downing not get his desired change.

Time will tell whether Liverpool can convince their potential signings that they are rebuilding as a club, and Champions League qualification is a very real possibility next season.

List of players Liverpool have missed out on so far:

Phil Jones - Manchester United

Ashley Young - Manchester United

Sylvain Marveaux - Newcastle United

Dimitri Payet - Lille

Connor Wickham - Sunderland