Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Marco Reus, Iker Casillas and More
It’s safe to say that Liverpool have been a shadow of the electrifying 2013/14 side in the current campaign, with results and performances leaving manager Brendan Rodgers scratching his head.
The Reds spent big in the summer transfer window in the wake of star man Luis Suarez heading to Barcelona, and it looks as if January’s window will follow suit with the club’s new recruits failing to make a real impact as of yet.
Four big stars are reportedly being lined up for January by Rodgers, as he looks to bring the glory days back to Anfield.
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Marco Reus
Rumours of German international Marco Reus heading away from Borussia Dortmund came in thick and fast during the summer, with Liverpool one of many clubs chasing his signature.
The 25-year-old still has three years remaining on his contract at Westfalenstadion, but a buyout clause of just £28 million (per Sky Sports) becomes active in 2015—putting Rodgers and Co. on red alert.
While Liverpool undoubtedly have the financial capabilities to bring Reus to Anfield, it could prove to be a tough task, as German giants Bayern Munich have joined the race for his signature.
Club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told German TV channel Sport1 that the Bundesliga champions are “obliged” to take a look at Reus, who’d join Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski on the list of talent that Munich have prised from their bitter rivals—via Liam Prenderville of the Daily Mirror:
"If a German international has an exit clause and his contract is running out, Bayern is obliged to think about him. There are many great clubs from other countries who would be interested in signing Marco Reus but the player will decide what he wants.
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Liverpool fans will hope that what Reus wants is a switch to the Premier League, and that could also be something that interests Dortmund, who are unlikely to let another of their key assets head to Bayern.
Reus’ future remains unclear, but one thing’s certain: Rodgers needs to act now or another world-class star could slip through his fingers.
Iker Casillas
Liverpool have taken the stance of a young, exciting team in recent seasons, but they’re now reportedly looking to a star in the winter of his career to bolster their defensive line.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas’ future at a club that has seemingly raised him since birth has come under the spotlight of late, and it looks like he may well be on the way out soon.
As Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star revealed, Liverpool are chasing the 33-year-old, who spent the most part of last season playing second fiddle to Diego Lopez in the Madrid goal.
He’s been given a few more chances in the current campaign but recently said that he’s been thinking about a life away from La Liga—per Malata:
“I’ve thought about leaving Spain. I don’t want to rub anyone the wrong way or create a bad air, because you always want Madrid to win.”
Malata writes that Rodgers’ plan to bring Casillas to Anfield would be to replace current No. 1 Simon Mignolet, who hasn’t exactly impressed since arriving on Merseyside.
Club legend Jamie Carragher highlighted as much, saying that it would be unsurprising to see the Reds chase a replacement for the out-of-sorts stopper—per Phil Kirkbride of the Liverpool Echo:
“Up until now he hasn’t made any big saves in his Liverpool career and if that continues then I can see Liverpool looking for another goalkeeper.”
Said goalkeeper could well be Casillas, but it would need to be a very attractive offer to lure the Spaniard away from his homeland.
It seems that signing the Real Madrid man is the easy way out—a quick fix to a problem that needs a lot more attention than that would give it.
Working hard with Mignolet or bringing a young goalkeeper through is the logical solution and likely one that Rodgers will adopt.
Hoffenheim Raid
With Daniel Sturridge facing time on the sidelines and Mario Balotelli not yet firing on all cylinders, it would be far from a surprise to see Rodgers hunt a few attacking players in January.
Alex Harris of the Daily Star writes that the Liverpool boss will turn his attention to Hoffenheim in a bid to boost his forward options, with Kevin Volland and Roberto Firmino top of his wish list.
Both players were linked with a move to Anfield in the summer, and while each is under contract until 2017, Rodgers will fancy his chances of getting the pair in red.
However, Hoffenheim sporting director Alexander Rose told Sport1 that he’s confident that January won’t see him bid farewell to his two prize assets—via Harris:
"I'm relatively confident of their stay here. The possibility of a farewell is not something that concerns us in the short term. Sometimes a sale is inevitable, but this is not the case.
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Firmino and Volland’s playing styles are very different, but they both carry one common, lethal attribute: the ability to find the net.
Brazilian-born Firmino, who plays in the free role in midfield, in particular has shown his knack for scoring of late, chalking up 28 goals in his last three Bundesliga campaigns—per SoccerWay.
His style is very similar to that of Philippe Coutinho, the only difference being that the Hoffenheim star hasn’t been given the international recognition that his brilliance deserves.
That’s something that journalist Alex Chaffer reflected on, saying that statistics of 25 goals and 19 assists in 46 games are enough to warrant a Brazil call-up:
When the 23-year-old does eventually get a place in the Brazilian side, his stock will likely rise considerably—so Rodgers needs to strike now.
Adding the dynamic Volland into the mix only makes the deal sweeter, and it goes without saying that both players, with their electric, pacey style, would fit in well at Anfield.
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