Liverpool Transfer News: Hernanes Only Available from Lazio for 'Indecent Offer'

Lazio have warned Liverpool they will need to make a large offer for Hernanes if they want to sign him.

The Serie A side's president Claudio Lotito is reported by Talksport saying: "I do not want to sell him, we will have to receive an indecent offer - £15 million will not be enough."

And the player has not given Liverpool much encouragement either, saying: "I do not want to hear these stories, I want to focus on my work and help the team."

The professional stance of Hernanes is admirable in the wake of a link to a bigger club, but his ambition could be questioned as Liverpool are a side mounting a realistic challenge for Champions League football.

Lazio, by contrast, sit ninth in Serie A and are likely to—at best—challenge for the Europa League.

Manu Brabo/Associated Press

Hernanes is the latest in a long line of creative players to be linked with a move to Liverpool in the January transfer window.

The club have already assessed Barcelona's Cristian Tello and Basel's Mohamed Salah, as reported by Liam Prenderville in the Mirror.

The player would undoubtedly fit in with Liverpool's attacking sensibilities, and add to their creative flair when going forward.

WhoScored.com rates the player's strengths as dribbling, shooting from distance and free-kicks. However, it could be argued that the side are already well stocked for these attributes with talisman Luis Suarez and captain Steven Gerrard.

Hernanes' regular position is central midfield, an area the Reds are already well stocked in, with Gerrard often the focal point, and the likes of Lucas, Jordan Henderson, and Joe Allen slotted around him.

However, only Lucas has consistently proven himself capable of playing at the base of the midfield, which is where Hernanes excels.

Italian football expert James Horncastle claims the Brazilian could leave Lazio, but doesn't rate it as very likely:

At 28-years-old an "indecent offer" for the player seems unlikely as there is no sell-on value.

There would also be a certain amount of pressure on Brendan Rodgers to make it work if he was to blow a large amount of his transfer budget on a player at his peak, rather than one he can develop and improve over time.

With all of this in mind a move is unlikely, unless Rodgers can be convinced that Hernanes can add something spectacular to the side and lift them above their current standing.