Liverpool Transfer: 5 Last-Minute Alternatives for Clint Dempsey

Fulham’s want-away American international Clint Dempsey is intent on forcing a move to Liverpool.

The Press Association (via Guardian.co.uk) reported that Fulham lodged an official complaint to the Premier League regarding Liverpool’s pursuit of Dempsey.

Here are five alternatives to Dempsey for Liverpool to consider.

Gastón Ramírez will not be included because his transfer situation is complicated to say the least. Bologna invited Southampton into negotiations yet somehow the deal collapsed. If one was to speculate, the Italian club used the Saints in order to jack up Ramírez’s transfer value.

5. Martin Harnik, Stuttgart, Age: 25

Martin Harnik is like Michu in that both players make unusual runs, which is often the reason why they’re unmarked when they poach their goals.

What this shows is excellent positional awareness and the capability to take advantage of a situation.

Harnik’s most impressive characteristic is his ability to score goals even though he starts out wide.

4. Pablo Osvaldo, Roma, Age: 26

Pablo Osvaldo is one of the most colourful figures in the game.

One minute, he pulls off an outrageous bicycle kick. The next minute, he’s daring the referee to send him off.

His wayward temperament has frequently hindered his career. However, his mercurial nature will always entice clubs into giving him a chance, with the faint hope that he will churn out a productive season without doing something stupid.

Roma sold themselves short with the inexplicable sale of Fabio Borini, so Liverpool should try their luck again and see if the Italian club are willing to sell Osvaldo at a cut-price.

3. Dries Mertens, PSV Eindhoven, Age: 25

When Dries Mertens signed for PSV Eindhoven, no one envisioned that he would score 21 league goals in a season.   

He doesn’t have the pace of compatriot Jonathan Legear but Mertens compensates by being extremely effective in the final third.

So far, Mertens has had the better career, even though Legear was projected to be the better player.

If there is an appropriate time for Mertens to move, it would be right now.

2. Arda Turan, Atlético Madrid, Age: 25

Atlético Madrid’s mounting problem with debt means opposing clubs will always have the leverage knowing Los Colchoneros have to sell.

The defensive pressure Arda Turan forces upon opposing players is the No. 1 thing you notice because it’s so intense.

In this regard, he’d slot straight into Brendan Rodgers’ system, since the Liverpool manager wants his attacking players to press high up.

Turan is technically adept, which is why a club of Atlético’s stature signed him.

His feel for the game is very good. There were a multitude of occasions where he made the effort to run into space, thereby giving Diego Godín an open target to pass to, only for the Uruguayan to misplace his pass.

1. Roberto Firmino, Hoffenheim, Age: 20

Roberto Firmino is an outstanding dribbler, who consistently puts in hard but fair tackles to win back possession.

He’s so good that he could lead Hoffenheim this season in goals, assists, shots created, dribbles per game, tackles per game and tackles per foul.

He was a bright spark in a 2-1 loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday.

There’s only one other midfielder that matches Firmino’s ability to attack and defend—Santi Cazorla.

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Statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com