Liverpool Transfer News and Rumors Tracker: Week of July 28, 2014

Liverpool kick-started their week with the news that Dejan Lovren became their latest signing this summer, arriving from Southampton for a reported fee of £20 million, according to BBC Sport.

But with plenty of transfer rumors still flying about, it appears that Brendan Rodgers is still on the lookout for further signings to strengthen his squad as they look to build on their encouraging campaign last season.

We at Bleacher Report will be keeping you up to speed on the latest news and rumors surrounding Liverpool this summer. Check in regularly throughout the week for the latest updates here.

Last updated: July 30, 2014

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Marco Reus Rejects New Contract at Borussia Dortmund

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Since Luis Suarez's big-money move to Barcelona, Liverpool fans can be forgiven for wanting a marquee name to replace their former striker. Enter Marco Reus, whose name has come up as a potential Reds target.

With the Mirror's latest reports that Reus has rejected a new contract at Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool management and fans alike will be monitoring the situation eagerly to see if they can entice one of the most exciting young talents to Anfield.

Any move could yet wait until the summer of 2015, when a reported £27 million release clause reportedly kicks in.

Ezequiel Lavezzi a £18 Million Reds Target

Thibault Camus/Associated Press

Following the dramatic falling through of Loic Remy's signing, Liverpool have reportedly turned to Paris Saint-Germain's Ezequiel Lavezzi as a potential replacement for Suarez, according to the Independent.

A reported £18 million has been mooted as Brendan Rodgers looks to find a quality goal-scorer to fill the Suarez-shaped void up front, and Lavezzi, who scored nine league goals last season, could have the all-round profile to be the Reds' new star forward.

PSG could have their hands forced by UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations if they are to move for reported target Angel Di Maria, which could in turn make Lavezzi available on the market.

Wilfried Bony Transfer Back On?

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Prior to Loic Remy's near-miss with a Liverpool move, the Reds were linked with a move for Swansea City's Wilfried Bony, only to be rebuffed by Swans chairman Huw Jenkins.

But if reports from the Mirror are to be believed, the signing could well be back on after Jenkins reportedly claimed that Bony could be let go for the right offer. 

Considering Liverpool's need for a striking reinforcement, we wouldn't be surprised if Rodgers resurrected his interest in the Ivory Coast striker this summer.

Loic Remy Transfer Falls Through

Scott Heavey/Getty Images

After a long few weeks that had all but confirmed Loic Remy as a Liverpool player, the Reds decided to pull out of a deal at the last minute, according to BBC Sport.

There has been no official confirmation of the true reasons behind the deal collapsing, but the BBC’s Ben Smith suggests that it was a failed medical behind the last-minute cancelation.

Rodgers will now need to look at other targets on the market to strengthen his strike force.

Liverpool Back in for Jay Rodriguez

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Is there a more predictable rumor than the Independent’s linking Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez to Liverpool?

After thrice raiding the Saints for their star players this summer—the Reds have already signed Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren—Liverpool may be mounting a mini takeover of Southampton if their signing of Rodriguez materializes.

With Remy’s move now off, we wouldn’t be surprised if this did end up happening…

Loan Deal, Not Permanent Transfer, for Fabio Borini

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Fabio Borini’s shoulder injury, sustained during their friendly loss against AS Roma in Boston last weekend, had Liverpool fans sweating on his mooted permanent transfer to Sunderland.

After Gus Poyet revealed that both clubs had agreed a deal last week, Clive Hetherington of the Express has this week reported that the Black Cats are now setting their sights on securing a season-long loan deal for a second successive year.

Which wouldn’t be ideal at all for Brendan Rodgers and co., given that the sum in question was supposedly a considerable £14 million.

Oussama Assaidi’s Wage Demands Threaten Stoke City Move

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

To further dampen spirits around Melwood and Anfield, the Express’ Joe Short is reporting that Oussama Assaidi’s wage demands are threatening a permanent move to Stoke City, where he spent a successful campaign on loan last season.

If Liverpool fans were thinking that a deal of £4.5 million up front, potentially rising to £7 million, was a tad too good to be true, they may yet be proved right.

For a player who won’t be involved much at all this season, Assaidi’s departure would be in the best interests of all at Liverpool.

Divock Origi Set to Join Liverpool

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Some good news in the wake of the recent setbacks is that Belgium’s Divock Origi will be sealing a £12.5 million move to Liverpool from Lille over the next few days, according to Simon Mullock of the Mirror.

With Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge’s impressive performances last season, Jordon Ibe’s encouraging form over preseason thus far, and Lazar Markovic’s signing, the Reds appear to be investing heavily in the future with the capture of 19-year-old Origi.

He will likely spend the coming season on loan back at Lille though.

Xherdan Shaqiri Link Resurfaces

Sergei Grits/Associated Press

Prior to the World Cup, Liverpool had been strongly linked with a move for Bayern Munich’s Xherdan Shaqiri, but the rumors died down for a few weeks.

But according to Swiss newspaper Blick (via the Daily Star), the Reds’ pursuit of the Swiss winger is now back on after a reported £14.2 million bid from the Anfield club.

This looks set to end up as another long-running transfer saga.

Brendan Rodgers to Compete for Thomas Vermaelen

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

One of the more surprising transfer rumors this summer is the Express’ linking Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen with a switch to Anfield.

Given Liverpool’s recent big-money acquisition of Dejan Lovren from Southampton, if Daniel Agger were to stay at the club, Vermaelen would be their fourth left-sided central defender in the squad.

Even Rodgers’ fondness for leadership in his defence—Vermaelen is Arsenal’s captain—might be a bit stretching it with this one.

Daniel Agger off to Barcelona for Real?

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Daniel Agger to Barcelona has been on the cards for years now, if the media is to be believed, so we may need to take the Daily Mail’s report of a resurfacing link with a grain of salt.

This time, the bid in question is reported to be £12 million, and Barcelona are also reportedly interested in Daley Blind, Thomas Vermaelen and Jan Vertonghen.

Yet with Dejan Lovren arriving and Mamadou Sakho going from strength to strength, Agger may find that this might be a good time for him to move on to different things.

Steven Gerrard to Be Handed New Liverpool Contract

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Straight on the heels of Steven Gerrard announcing his international retirement comes the news that the Liverpool captain will be handed a new contract at Anfield.

According to Dominic King of the Daily Mail, Brendan Rodgers has stated that it will only be a matter of time before the Reds sort out a new deal with Gerrard for him to see out his career at Liverpool.

It will be a timely boost for the club ahead of what promises to be a challenging season.