Liverpool Transfer Speculation: Reds Reportedly Looking at Diego Godin

With Daniel Agger's future becoming increasingly uncertain after Brendan Rodgers chose to be diplomatic, it is likely that the Reds boss will be scouting other targets. Rodgers recently said (via BBC Sport):

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"Do I want to lose Daniel Agger? No, not really. I enjoy him. He's a good guy and can play a real pivotal part in how I want to play. He understands how I want to work but I'm a realist as well and the reality is that if a club comes in with a massive bid then the club may have to look at it.

"I think it's one where they’re at a premium, top centre-halves. Look at Thiago Silva—he was at AC Milan and went to PSG for £40 million so there's got to be a big valuation.

"He [Agger] is one of the leading players in European football at centre-half. Is he a player that I want to lose? No, he's not. But like it is for any club, whatever valuation comes in—you've seen it over a number of years—if it's in the best interest of the club, whether it's Daniel or any other player, of course you have to look at it, from a football perspective."

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Now Wayne Veysey of Goal.com has reported that Liverpool are tracking Uruguayan defender Diego Godin, who plays for Atletico Madrid in the La Liga in Spain at the moment.

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Liverpool are lining up a move for Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin as a replacement for Manchester City target Daniel Agger, Goal.com has learned.

The experienced Uruguay international has been regularly scouted by the Merseysiders over the past 12 months and has emerged as the chief contender to supplement the defence if they cash in on Agger.

Manager Brendan Rodgers admitted on Wednesday that Liverpool would sell Agger at the right price and it is understood he will be allowed a significant portion of the proceeds to secure a replacement for the Dane.

Rodgers is not believed to be interested in moving for Swansea City captain Ashley Williams and, although he is a huge admirer of Steven Caulker, his centre-back partner during a successful loan spell last season, Tottenham will strongly resist any move for a player of whom they have high hopes at White Hart Lane.

Rodgers' top target is Godin, 26, who is a cornerstone of Uruguay's national side and highly regarded in Spain. However, Atletico are believed to be willing to listen to offers for the centre-back because of their financial problems.

Godin was watched by Liverpool before they signed his countryman Sebastian Coates 12 months ago soon after Uruguay won the 2011 Copa America.

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Daniel Agger may be very vital to Liverpool, but as Rodgers rightly thinks and states, every player has a price. If someone were to come with an offer close to £30 million for even Steven Gerrard at present, the logical thing to do would be to cash in.

In such a case, Liverpool of all clubs would lose at least some of the values that it embraces. "You'll Never Walk Alone" means a lot to the club and the fans. Some players might not have followed it for long, but the club certainly has looked after most of its players.

If Agger does not want to leave he should not be forced out. At least that is what the emotional fan will want, but the one that is hungrier for success will side with Rodgers for sure. It would have been a "catch 22" for me if I were in Rodgers' shoes. Fortunately, Liverpool has a much more assured manager who knows what he is doing.

Fans should not be surprised if Rodgers were to pull off a masterstroke or maybe even two by the end of the transfer window. The thing is, the judgment should be only provided after some time, and the manager's recruits must be supported up till a reasonable stint at least.

Agger's departure to Manchester City will hit the fans hard, and they may decide to take it out on the manager. I hope that is not the case, as there is a lot to gain if indeed Agger goes for the price that is being brandished around.

With another Uruguayan in Diego Godin being targeted, it will not do the Reds any harm if they were to bring in Gaston Ramirez as well in their quest to become and play like Uruguay. OK, I am kidding, but will that be such a bad idea? Uruguay are not ranked so highly in the FIFA rankings for nothing.

Rodgers is losing players fast (Kuyt, Maxi, possibly Bellamy, etc.) and he needs to quench the unrest within the fans. He must be realizing that it is not very easy managing a club with exceedingly high aspirations year-in, year-out. However, he should also anticipate an opportunity here.

It is an opportunity to test his mettle and one that may define the season and his stay with Liverpool. It is an opportunity to garner experience in the transfer market that he would never have gained managing Swansea or if he presently oversaw Manchester City. It is an opportunity to proliferate his self esteem and the power of his decisions through the squad and the managerial hierarchy. 

Whether the glass is perceived as half full or half empty depends on the person looking at it. Rodgers certainly seems to be one who relates with the former perspective, and I am sure he will display courage and shrewdness in the transfer imbroglio setting up nicely for its conclusion near the end of August.

The last two transfer windows have been woeful for Liverpool, albeit in absolutely different ways. One saw zilch activity while the other saw money being splashed like (to quote the former Liverpool owners) "drunken sailors."

If Liverpool do decide to part with Agger and can get two good players in, I see no reason why this window cannot be third-time lucky for the Reds and Brendan Rodgers.