Liverpool Transfer Rumors: Players Who Will Turn Squad into Contenders

With manager Brendan Rodgers now in the fold, Liverpool will be looking to make some noise on the transfer market this summer.

According to an article from the Daily Star, Rodgers has requested a hefty sum to go after a trio of players he believes will improve the current squad.

With Dirk Kuyt recently departing for Turkish club Fenerbahce, Liverpool will be looking to fill the void left by the Dutch midfielder with some fresh faces.

Here are five players Liverpool could pursue to improve their squad.

Clint Dempsey

An article from the Daily Mail has suggested that Clint Dempsey may be among the trio of Brendan Rodgers' primary targets.

Although he's already 29 years old, Dempsey is coming off of the most accomplished season of his career, recording 23 goals for Fulham across all competitions last season.

Having given over five years of service to the Cottagers, Dempsey would certainly relish the opportunity to play for a club that has a chance of winning a league title.

According to ESPN.com, Dempsey is a likely target to move because of his current contract situation with Fulham: 

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His contract has one season remaining, meaning an offer from another club would create pressure for Fulham to sell him this summer rather than risk him leaving without a fee a year from now.

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Joe Allen

According to an article from Metro.co.uk, Welsh midfielder Joe Allen is a primary target of Brendan Rodgers moving forward. 

At 22 years old, Allen is a complete player who could help solidify a midfield that is undergoing a bit of a makeover.

One of Rodgers' former players at Swansea, Allen would appear to be a natural fit at Anfield.

However, as Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star points out, there may be a hang up to Allen joining the Reds.

According to Hetherington, "But as there is an agreement that the Kop boss won’t poach players from his former club for 12 months, unless the deal suits both parties, Rodgers might have to wait for Allen."

If Rodgers has to exercise some patience with Allen he may need to look elsewhere—as poaching all of Swansea's talent may not suffice.

Gylfi Sigurdsson

Similar to Joe Allen, Gylfi Sigurdsson is one of Brendan Rodgers' former players at Swansea.

According to ESPN.com, Rodgers is interested in bringing Sigurdsson in, assuming he ducks out of his impending deal with Swansea:

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Sigurdsson, 22, enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Swansea this season and the Welsh club announced this week they have agreed a fee to land the midfielder from Hoffenheim.

The deal, though, is yet to be rubber-stamped, and Rodgers, who was appointed as Reds boss on Friday, has suggested he could look to bring the Iceland international to Anfield.

Rodgers cannot sign any Swansea players for 12 months, courtesy of an agreement struck during his switch from the Welsh club to Liverpool. However, he is ready to pounce for Sigurdsson if the player pulls out of his move to the Liberty Stadium.

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Acquired on loan from German club Hoffenheim during the January transfer window, Sigurdsson was impressive in his time with Swansea, netting seven goals. 

An attacking midfielder, Sigurdsson could be a solid acquisition for Liverpool at the £6 million price the Daily Star has reported.

Junior Hoilett

A 22-year-old Canadian national, Junior Hoilett has long been rumored to be headed for one of England's premier clubs.

Back in January, NESN.com passed along reports that Junior Hoilett was a possible fit for Liverpool given his displeasure with Blackburn Rovers.

Since these rumors were reported, Blackburn have been relegated from the Premier League and Hoilett's contract with the Rovers has expired.

An intriguing prospect, Hoilett could provide a burst of speed and some impressive ball skills for the Reds.

One factor that must be taken into consideration: Liverpool's previous interest in Hoilett was under manager Kenny Dalglish, and while Hoilett's versatile skill set is intriguing, new manager Brendan Rodgers may look elsewhere for additions.

Ashley Williams

If Brendan Rodgers is capable of robbing Swansea of Joe Allen and Gylfi Sigurdsson, his next step may be to target Swansea City defender Ashley Williams.

According to BBC, Williams is among Rodgers' targets to bring in for a new era at Merseyside:

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Brendan Rodgers is set to raid Swansea for three of his former players after he is unveiled as Liverpool's new manager - forward Scott Sinclair, 23, midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, 22, and defender Ashley Williams, 27. Sigurdsson was set to join the Swans after a successful loan spell but has not completed his move yet.

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A 27-year-old Welsh national, Williams would bring some guidance, having played under the tutelage of Rodgers for the last two seasons at Swansea. A steady presence along the back line, Williams started 37 games for Swansea a year ago.