Liverpool Transfer News: Petr Cech Bid Encouraged, Alexandre Lacazette Rumours

In the wake of Liverpool’s recent draw with Arsenal, club legend Jamie Carragher claimed that we are starting to see subtle improvements from the Reds, apart from their play in both penalty boxes, per Sky Sports.

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With that in mind, it is no surprise that Brendan Rodgers’ team have been linked with some experienced goalkeepers and bright young forwards. As the January window approaches, there have been major developments in the club’s pursuit of both types of player.

Petr Cech falls into the former of the aforementioned categories, and after sagging behind Thibaut Courtois in the pecking order at Chelsea, the legendary goalkeeper has been touted with a potential move away from Stamford Bridge. 

The player’s agent, Viktor Kolar, has admitted a move away from the Blues is not off the table, citing Anfield as a possible option, per James Dickenson of the Express:

"

It's unlikely Petr will leave Chelsea in the January transfer window.

The club and coach want to keep him to help win the title. I think Arsenal should have made an offer to him. I think Petr would be considering it.

Liverpool need to strengthen their position in goal and they know Petr will be available in the summer. We've been in contact with Real Madrid, but they don't need a keeper just now.

"

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A move in the midseason window looks unlikely, but the mention of the Reds will have surely perked up the ears of Rodgers. After finally losing patience with and subsequently dropping Simon Mignolet after a string of errors, Brad Jones is currently between the sticks for the Merseysiders, and while he is a willing stopper, he’s a long way from being top-class.

As noted here by Matthew Stanger of Sky Sports, a major upgrade is needed on the Australian:

Reds fans will be desperate for the club to go out and spend big on a new No. 1 in the January window. But you suspect the supporters would be sated if the club were a little more patient and waited until the summer before drafting in Cech. After all, the 32-year-old remains one of the finest goalkeepers in the game.

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Bleacher Report Liverpool correspondent Matt Ladson thinks signing Cech in January would transform the team's season:

"

If Liverpool were somehow to get Cech, they'd get fourth place. Without a new keeper, slim chance.

— Matt Ladson (@mattladson) December 22, 2014"

Cech would be a wonderful acquisition for Liverpool, but a keeper of his quality is still capable of commanding a starting spot at the very highest level. With that in mind, if Rodgers can somehow steer his team toward a Champions League spot it would do wonders for their chances. Admittedly, that feat looks somewhat unlikely at the moment.

Something else that also seems unlikely is the prospect of Alexandre Lacazette in a red shirt, after Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas told L’Equipe (h/t Jack Lang of the Mirror) that there is no chance the club will cash in on their red-hot striker:

"

I've made up my mind: we're not selling.

A big offer may come in, but it's a question of strategy. We have just invested more than €400 million on a new stadium and it would make no sense to sell our best players, who can bring us Champions League football.

"

The Reds had been keeping tabs on the 23-year-old forward, per Lang’s piece, and would have been majorly impressed with what they’ve seen after a stellar season for the Lyon man. Lacazette has scored 17 goals in 19 Ligue 1 appearances this season and, as noted here by French football writer James Eastham, has been the standout player in France's top flight:

Stylistically, the Frenchman would fit in perfectly with the kind of stylistic principles that Rodgers wants to implement. He’s a wonderfully dynamic player to watch, intelligent enough to come short to receive the ball in pockets of space or stretch defenders in behind with his blistering pace. Potentially most encouraging for the Reds is that he’s a ruthless finisher on either foot.

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At this juncture, any potential move seems set to be swatted away by OL, however, and when you look at the table, it’s little wonder why. Lyon are currently riding high in second place and have played some fantastic football this season, inspired by a crop of burgeoning young players. 

Lacazette is the crown jewel of the aforementioned group, and with a surprise title tilt potentially on the cards and Champions League football looking like a realistic ambition for the club, there’s no reason why the striker—a local product of OL’s revered youth academy—will be looking to move anywhere else at the moment.