Scouting Rumoured Liverpool Transfer Target Adem Ljajic

Liverpool's summer transfer plans look set to continue to develop over the next few weeks, with rumours of who the club are targeting not slowing down in the slightest.

The latest name in the frame for an Anfield move is Adem Ljajic, the Fiorentina attacker who Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish) report is a genuine target for the Reds, along with Atletico Madrid and potentially a number of other clubs.

Improving the depth and quality of the line of the forward line does seem to be a priority for manager Brendan Rodgers this summer, going by other names linked to Liverpool, and Ljajic could be an impressive addition were the move to be finalised.

Who is Ljajic and Why is he Good?

Ljajic is a very attack-minded player who was linked with Manchester United when he was a teenager, only for the move to eventually fall through.

He is talented on the ball, being capable of dribbling at opposition defences and finding room to thread passes through for fellow attackers, and is a good creative player with excellent vision. He is right-footed, versatile and, at 21 years of age, has already made more than 150 senior appearances for Partizan Belgrade, Fiorentina and at international level, Serbia.

This past season he recorded his best campaign for both goals scored and assists created, managing 11 and six in Serie A respectively, from 28 appearances.

Ljajic shows intelligent movement and is confident in his ability to shoot from range, while his physical assets are his pace and agility.

Possible Anfield Role and Competition in the Squad

Ljajic spent a significant portion of his early career playing as an attacking midfielder. This most recent season saw him play as a second forward for Fiorentina, before a tactical switch in the team to a 4-3-3 system meant he operated from the left side of the forward line.

This switch benefited him immensely and the goal return was significant; scoring just once in the league from August to February, Ljajic hit 10 goals in his next 11 games up until the end of the season, including a final-day hat-trick against Pescara. He also claimed five of his six assists during that period.

Presuming that is the plan would be for him to continue in this improved role, Ljajic would be competing with the likes of Fabio Borini, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and, potentially, one of Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho for the left-sided forward's role.

While all of those players can operate in at least one other position, it highlights the potential strength in depth that Liverpool are hoping to amass over the course of this summer in their squad.

Other Benefits of the Move This Summer?

The Mundo Deportivo report states that Fiorentina would be loathe to lose Ljajic on a free transfer, which they could do next year as he only has one season remaining on his contract. They initially paid close to €7 million for him, and could recoup most of that if they cash in this summer.

Fiorentina finished fourth in Serie A last season, only good enough for a Europa League spot for this term so Champions League football would not be an issue.

Atletico Madrid are also said to have already offered Ljajic a deal to move to them—but only on a free transfer next summer. Liverpool making a pre-emptive move this year would end that possibility.

Drawbacks and Problems

Ljajic has appeared just seven times for his national team Serbia, which could cause significant problems in gaining a work permit to play in England. However, he could certainly be granted an exception as an outstanding young player, as it is very likely he would have added to his tally but for a disagreement with the national team manager Sinisa Mihajlovic.

The Serbian coach has stated, as reported by ESPN, that Ljajic would get an immediate recall—but only if he sings the national anthem, which is what he has been left out for over the past year.

Ljajic was also involved in another serious matter with a coach, this time at club level, where he directed his ire at former Fiorentina manager Delio Rossi after being substituted, before the Italian boss slapped him.

Rossi was sacked over the incident, while Ljajic remains at the club for now.

Physically, Ljajic is not exceptionally strong—though Philippe Coutinho has shown how little that really matters when the quality is there—and he is not one to track back and do a huge amount of defensive work for the team.

Finally, there is the issue of consistency to acknowledge.

Ljajic has long been seen as one of the top attacking prospects in Europe, but has not always had a real match-winning effect on a regular basis. This season he has had a few injuries to contend with, but playing in a left-sided role in the forward line has suited him perhaps better than the more central position did previously.

If the plan is to use him from that side of the attack, Liverpool would hope he continues to show the impressive form he did for Fiorentina over the second half of the season.

For anything around £5-to-8 million, that kind of impact on games would come at a bargain transfer fee.

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Player data from WhoScored and TransferMarkt.