Liverpool Transfer News: Iker Casillas Eyed, Yannick Bolasie Blow Dealt

Liverpool's Simon Mignolet continues to look shaky between the sticks in 2014-15, and after his later blunder in the Reds' 2-2 draw against Razgrad Ludogorets, the transfer rumour mill is working overtime linking new goalkeepers with a move to Anfield.

Manager Brendan Rodgers' latest target is reportedly Real Madrid's Iker Casillas, who will be the target of a £4 million bid in January, according to Daily Express' David Wright.

The Spain international was left on the bench in favour of summer signing Keylor Navas for Los Blancos' Champions League match against FC Basel, and Wright claims the 33-year-old fears he may lose his starting position once again.

Last season, Diego Lopez was the choice starter in La Liga action, with Casillas handling the bulk of work in the Champions League. The veteran appeared to regress tremendously in the past two years, and his struggles became somewhat of a recurring joke.

Goal's Carlo Garganese even used him as a prime example of an aging contributor who can no longer perform at a high level when discussing Gianluigi Buffon recently:

Bleacher Report's Clark Whitney was also stunned when he found out the Spaniard was nominated to the FIFPro's World Starting XI:

Those jokes are starting to lose some of their luster, however. Casillas has been more than dependable so far during the 2014-15 season, and Real have awarded him with plenty of minutes in both La Liga and the Champions League as a result.

With 10 starts in the former and four in the latter, via WhoScored.com, it's clear to see who manager Carlo Ancelotti's choice starter is.

Los Blancos felt comfortable letting Lopez walk for free and invested heavily in World Cup sensation Navas, and it speaks volumes to Casillas' play that he's keeping the Costa Rican on the bench, for the most part. Ancelotti also told reporters he still thinks highly of the veteran, per the club's official Twitter feed:

Having multiple capable stoppers is all the rage in football right now, and Real are just one of many clubs with at least two high-quality goalkeepers. To suggest the former youth product and lifelong Madridista would be unhappy after being left on the bench for one match borders on absurdity.

The reported price of £4 million is even more eyebrow-raising. Casillas is a club legend—if Los Blancos sell him for what amounts to two packs of crisps in today's transfer market, fans will riot in the streets of the Spanish capital.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Yannick Bolasie made quite the impact during Crystal Palace's 3-1 win over the Reds last Sunday, and Eagles boss Neil Warnock has issued a warning to possible suitors in the wake of rumours linking Liverpool with a January move.

According to the Daily Express' Ian Winrow, he said:

"

He’s a great lad and the top clubs don’t know what he can and can’t do so how can they come in for him. I think he is made to measure for Palace. It is that kind of the club with the stage and the fans.
 
He needs to find more consistency but now we have three games in a week and so we need him to perform as he did against Liverpool.

"

The 25-year-old was simply phenomenal against Liverpool, leading to high praise from plenty of pundits. Former Germany international Dietmar Hamann loves his particular skill set:

The Daily Telegraph's Matt Law saw him abuse the Reds' full-backs all afternoon:

Bolasie has emerged as one of the better wingers in the Premier League during the 2014-15 season, but his age and sudden emergence will always lead to questions regarding his long-term potential and ability to perform for bigger clubs.

His particular set of skills is enticing, however, and so is his work rate on the pitch, as shared by Squawka:

Bolasie's stock has never been higher than it is right now, and Warnock's insistence he isn't moving is understandable. It will likely take a substantial offer to bring him in during the January window, a risk Rodgers perhaps isn't willing to take.

The likes of Lazar Markovic and Philippe Coutinho still appear to have more long-term potential, and the presence of Bolasie would only slow down their development. While you can never rule out anything, a move for the Palace-winger in January appears unlikely.

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