Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Strongly Linked to Lacina Traore & Gaston Ramirez

According to Express.co.uk, the latest rumors connecting Liverpool with player transfers have thrown up a strange name in Lacina Traore. Liverpool already have a tall robust forward in Andy Carroll and many might see Traore as a similar player. The fact is, he isn't.

Firstly, he will cost about 20 percent of what Carroll did, and when you consider that he is still only 22, that seems like a reasonable deal. Secondly, the lanky forward has surprisingly more pace than Liverpool's present No. 9.

If the Reds do sign Traore, it will probably mean that Rodgers is looking to ship out Andy Carroll to make some cash for some of his other targets. Carroll presented a different option off the bench to Rodgers' preferred 4-3-3, played with mobile, swift front men.

If the Liverpool boss is indeed replacing Carroll with Traore, it is a very shrewd move indeed. He does not lose out on the different option that he has with Carroll and he simultaneously adds some cash in the kitty for another target such as Gaston Ramirez. Traore is also quicker, younger and judging by his last season, a prolific scorer. 

The other name that the Express links Liverpool with is not new: Gaston Ramirez. In fact, the Express even goes to the extent of claiming that the deal has already been done.

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"GASTON Ramirez has achieved his goal of securing a move to a "big club" this summer, with Liverpool reportedly signing the Uruguay international for £20 million."

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The figure being quoted earlier was less than what the Express is quoting here. Fans can just hope that the signing of Ramirez is not another one in which the Reds pay over the odds unnecessarily.

Considering Liverpool Echo's report of Liverpool baulking at the rise in wage demands made by Gylfi Sigurdsson —and are ready to admit defeat to Tottenham for his signature—it would be wise to assume that Ramirez will not come to the Reds at that price after all.  

Price aside, the signing itself would represent a major coup for the club while it tries to avoid being out of the Champions League for a fourth year running. Ramirez is a quality player and any of the teams involved presently in Champions League football can obtain his signature.

Liverpool are short of flair players and those who predominantly play out wide. Ramirez would check all those qualities and challenge the likes of Downing, Maxi and company to raise their game or else warm the bench. 

The first of July is nearby, which is the date from which the official registration of players for their new clubs is allowed. Thus, Liverpool fans do not have to wait much long to get a sense of Rodgers' preferences and the ambitions of the owners. In my opinion, the signing of these two players will be great for the club and we can be assured that Rodgers is heading in the right direction.