Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Face Pedro Fight, Latest on Ezequiel Lavezzi

Brendan Rodgers will come up against substantial opposition in his bid to land Barcelona's Pedro this winter, with Juventus alleged to be showing an interest in his services.

According to Tuttomercatoweb.com (h/t Spanish newspaper AS), the Serie A champions view Pedro as an alternative to Manchester United's Juan Mata, the Red Devils having recently rejected their advances.

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Luis Enrique has already taken to utilising the up-and-coming potential of youngsters Munir El Haddadi, Sandro and Rafinha this season, giving Pedro cause for concern over his playing time.

And with Luis Suarez set to return from his four-month ban in October, the Spanish winger is fully aware of the competition he has to face at Camp Nou, per AS:

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It’s difficult. All I want to do is work hard. It’s difficult to get into the starting 11 because I’m competing with the best forwards in the world but I’m fighting for my place every day. The important thing is to do my job and let the boss decide.

Their [Munir and Sandro] performances motivate all of us. They are both players who are eager to compete and they have had their chance and are scoring goals. To have that level of competition is a good thing. We also have Luis Suárez to come in and we are looking forward to having him with us because he is a decisive player who scores a lot of goals and will bring something extra to the team. When we are all available and competing against other it will be great for the team.

"

The transfer ban impeding Barca from concluding any deals in 2015 might make departures more difficult on their part, with Enrique undoubtedly eager to retain every player he has under his command.

However, with Pedro's deal set to expire in 2016 and the player potentially open to a move away, it could be that a winter exit makes sense for all parties. Meanwhile, Fichajes.net (h/t Metro's Will Giles) confirmed Arsenal are also looking to sign the World Cup winner, offering a Premier League alternative.

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Arsene Wenger already acquired one Barca forward this year in the shape of Alexis Sanchez, but he could add further to his ranks with the purchase of Pedro, adding yet more quality to his flanks.

Should Rodgers fail to get his hands on the Barcelona trickster, he could turn his attentions back to Paris Saint-Germain's Ezequiel Lavezzi, whose contract issues in the French capital still linger.

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According to the Express (h/t Metro), Laurent Blanc would be open to the idea of cashing in on Lavezzi in the new year, having struggled to find a place for the Argentinian in his starting XI.

Lavezzi has only played in three of PSG's five Ligue 1 outings so far this term, each as a substitute.

His talents would undoubtedly be all the more valued at Anfield, but Nik Postinger of We Play and BT Sport's James Horncastle each provided quotes late in the transfer window that Italian parties may hold an advantage:

The former Napoli star has been a grand Serie A success in the past, and Metro did mention Fiorentina and Inter as some of those interested in his potential winter signing.

That being said, the financial benefits of a move to England's top flight could sway matters in Liverpool's favour as the Reds prepare to go up against Italy's big guns in pursuit of both attacking targets.