Liverpool Transfer News: Victor Valdes Medical Reported, Keita Balde Diao Latest

Liverpool are reportedly closer to signing Spanish goalkeeper Victor Valdes after a medical involving the ex-FC Barcelona man has apparently been scheduled.

But Valdes might not be the only potential new face arriving at Anfield in the coming months. Young Lazio striker Keita Balde Diao remains firmly on the radar, which is good news in the wake of fresh reports that Mario Balotelli is unsurprisingly struggling to settle.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers also retains hope of acquiring Newcastle United midfield enforcer Cheick Tiote.

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Here's the latest on all of the transfer gossip involving Liverpool.

Medical Scheduled for Valdes

Rodgers and the Liverpool hierarchy are reportedly ready to test the state of Valdes' surgically repaired knee, per Goal.com reporter Wayne Veysey:

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Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Victor Valdes with the former Barcelona goalkeeper set to undergo a medical this month, Goal understands.

Liverpool are confident of wrapping up the signing of the 32-year-old if he can prove his fitness.

Valdes is a free agent after running down his contract with the Catalan giants in the summer but has been sidelined since March with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The Spain international is in the late stages of rehabilitation and his representatives are confident he will now be able to pass medical tests.

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If Valdes is healthy, his signing would represent a minor coup for Liverpool. Often overlooked in the recent Lionel Messi-led dominance by Barcelona, Valdes was actually a key figure at the Camp Nou.

He played his part in three UEFA Champions League wins as a goalkeeper who rarely let his team down. A nimble and instinctive shot-stopper at his best, Valdes has a habit of making clutch saves.

The 32-year-old's level of reliability is not something the Reds have always received from Belgian stopper Simon Mignolet. The former Sunderland goalkeeper has had his place between the sticks questioned this season, per Liverpool Echo writer James Pearce:

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His place in this Liverpool side is under scrutiny like never before and those who doubt his long-term suitability for the No 1 shirt are having a field day.

The Reds’ interest in free agent Victor Valdes, who is a month away from fitness following a cruciate ligament injury, has undoubtedly cranked up the pressure on Mignolet. A three-time Champions League winner and Spain international wouldn’t be lured to Anfield by the prospect of being a deputy to anyone.

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Mignolet might not like it, but adding Valdes would give Liverpool two quality options to tend goal. Few other teams in the Premier League, barring leaders Chelsea, could say they have better depth at such a key position.

Valdes could play a vital role as a steadying influence over an erratic Reds defence. His signing is a bargain Liverpool shouldn't miss.

Reds Bid £15 Million for Diao

The ink may barely be dry on the contract Balotelli signed to replace Luis Suarez as Liverpool's striker of choice, but Rodgers is already keen on a new forward. He's chosen Diao and will reportedly offer £15 million for the teenage powerhouse, per Daily Star reporter Gary Jones:

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Diao attracted interest from a host of Europe's top clubs this summer but Lazio were unwilling to let the 19-year-old leave the club for the offers being made.

And according to new reports, the Reds are now ready to offer a deal closer to the £15m asking price first asked by Lazio to help beat their Premier League rivals to the signing.

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Balotelli's struggle to adapt to life at Liverpool could be prompting this bid. A fresh report from ESPN FC's Ian Darke has suggested Balotelli is already alienating his new teammates:

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Mario Balotelli has been on Merseyside for only a few weeks and already he has found himself out of the Liverpool and Italy teams. Sources have told me that some of his team-mates at Anfield are none too impressed by his individualistic approach.

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While Balotelli's alleged antics will come as no surprise given his history, it is surprising that Diao is viewed as an option. Jones noted how he is struggling for first-team games with Lazio.

Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press

This is also a once highly touted member of Barcelona's revered youth academy. However, Diao's relationship with Barca soured after he engineered an infamous prank during a youth-team tour, per Daily Mail reporter Graeme York:

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The Catalan-born striker with Senagalese parents left Barca in disgrace after playing a prank—putting an ice cube in a teammate's bed—on tour in Qatar with the youth team.

Although considered a first team mainstay in the making, the joke saw the then 15-year-old Keita sent on loan to lower league side Cornella, where he scored 47 goals in a youth team season.

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After first Suarez and now Balotelli, Rodgers must be a glutton for punishment to still be considering another potential problem child. It's also strange in the context of this summer's deal to sign 19-year-old Belgian forward Divock Origi.

Although promptly loaned back to Lille, the youthful international will still be counted on as a future star at Anfield. It's easy to see how his development could be stunted by the arrival of Diao.

Reds Battle PL Rivals for Tiote

If Rodgers is serious about tempting Tiote away from St. James' Park, he'll have to beat Manchester United and Arsenal to his signature. The Premier League trio have been identified as the main candidates to sign the combative Ivory Coast international, per Daily Star reporter Chisanga Malata.

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He has named the Gunners as Rodgers' strongest competition:

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According to reports, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is eager to add some bite to heart of his team's midfield - and has made signing Tiote his number one priority.

Those reports claim the Frenchman is preparing a bid in the region of £15m for combative midfielder.

But the Arsenal manager will face competition for Tiote's services from Liverpool.

The Reds are reportedly interested in signing the Toon star, and are preparing a £15.5m winter bid for the Ivorian.

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However, the competition may not be as strong as Malata indicates. In fact, mooted developments in Arsenal's own transfer activity could leave the field clear for Rodgers.

The Gunners are reportedly inching closer and closer to a deal for Germany international Sami Khedira. The hard-running and powerful midfielder could even join Arsenal in January, per Fichajes.net (h/t Metro):

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However, reports in Spain now say the Germany midfielder has now accepted a deal and all that remains is for Arsenal to talk money with Madrid.

A fee should not be too much of a problem, with Madrid keen to sell as Khedira is in the final year of his contact, and would be a free agent next summer.

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Khedira would bring brawn and energy to Arsenal's midfield. Those are the very qualities Tiote embodies, but few would argue with the notion that Khedira is the better player.

However, even if Rodgers is left free to sign Tiote, does he even need him? He already has Jordan Henderson to cover ground and Lucas Leiva to play more of a holding role.

There's also new signing Emre Can, a stocky and active destroyer who has yet to make his mark in a Liverpool shirt. Signing Tiote would simply further crowd an already bloated position.

Rodgers would be better served spending the money on a competent centre-back.

AC Milan Want Suso

Serie A side AC Milan are ready to sign gifted, young wide forward Suso. The Rossoneri even have an agreement in place for the 20-year-old Spaniard to join next summer.

Gero Breloer/Associated Press

That's according to Serena Perfetto of GianlucaDiMarzio.com:

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The agreement is based on a four year contract and it’ll become official as soon as the rules allow it. The player will be free from June 30, 2015 but AC Milan are planning to buy him in January, by paying a compensation to Liverpool. If the agreement doesn’t go through, Suso will join AC Milan in June anyways.

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The player is eager to leave Anfield in search of regular playing time, according to Daily Express reporter Jamie Anderson:

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He said: 'I will only renew with Liverpool if I’m guaranteed I’ll play regularly. The option is clear if I don’t renew: let me leave.'

It appears that the club have opted for the latter option and will be saying goodbye to Suso within nine-months.

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It's strange that Suso hasn't made the grade. But with Raheem Sterling, new boy Lazar Markovic and even Philippe Coutinho capable of thriving out wide, there is little room for the tricky Suso.

Rodgers has been noted for trusting young players at Liverpool. He did so with Sterling and full-back Jon Flanagan.

Brian A. Westerholt/Getty Images

However, he's clearly deemed that Suso doesn't quite have what it takes. A move to Italy would suit the youngster but could come back to haunt Rodgers and Liverpool.

Rodgers' latest transfer plans show he is still far from settled on what his best team is, despite adding a host of new players to his squad this summer. Of the targets listed here, Valdes makes the most sense.

He's the only one who would instantly upgrade the current team.