Liverpool Transfer News: Dissecting Latest Quotes and Buzz Surrounding Reds
Liverpool's 2014 promises to begin with a bang in what should be a fairly eventful window at Anfield if recent years are anything to go by.
The Reds are very much still in the race to win this season's Premier League title, but are in need of some fresh blood if that push for silverware is to come to fruition.
Read on for a breakdown of the latest transfer news around Anfield, looking ahead to what it could mean for Liverpool heading into the end-of-season run-in.
Brendan Rodgers Cools Talk on Tello
Cristian Tello's alleged loan move to Liverpool is a story which has gained serious traction in the last few days, but Brendan Rodgers has moved to dissuade rumours associating his club with the Barcelona winger.
CNN's Tancredi Palmeri confirmed over Twitter that a deal could be on the horizon:
When asked about the deal on Monday, Brendan Rodgers is quoted by the Independent's Phil Medlicott as responding:
"I'm sure that will be the start of it (transfer talk), and I'm sure there will be plenty more! But there's nothing to add on anything with regard to players coming in. There's nothing imminent.
Obviously the recruitment team are busy putting things together in terms of the profile of players we need here to improve the team and the squad.
The owners have invested millions upon millions into the team and every window we arrive in looking to improve where we can. This window will be no different.
"
The Spaniard's move to Anfield is one that's been linked in the past, but has rapidly escalated this winter and looks as likely to go through as any other of the Reds' rumoured deals right now.
Barcelona Resume Contract Talks With Montoya
Liverpool have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Martin Montoya, the Barcelona utility being linked with a move to Anfield this winter.
As things stand, the defender has just six months left on his deal, but Inside Spanish Football's Tom Conn has reported that negotiations are back underway regarding an extension.
Conn writes:
"However, due to the recent playing time and larger role, Montoya has informed his agent, Jose Maria Orobitg to resume contract extension negotiations, which had previously been placed on hold due to the player’s lack of minutes and willingness to entertain other offers.
"
This could come as a bad shock for Rodgers, whom the Daily Star's Gary Jones claimed was attracting the attention of Montoya, although an extension would all but make such a move an impossibility this winter.
Udinese Anchor On Reds' Radar
Squad depth will play a discernible role in any success Liverpool are to have over the next five months, and the club's search for midfield reserves has led them to Udinese lynchpin Emmanuel Badu.
The Metro's Jamie Sanderson recently reported that the Merseyside outfit are looking to bring the Ghanaian in this January for a reported £7 million fee.
Badu would provide backup to the likes of Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen, but one can debate as to how much genuine competition the defensive midfielder would add to Rodgers' squad.
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