Liverpool Transfer News: Big-Name Stars Shortlisted in Latest Reds Rumours

After a shaky start to the 2014/15 season, Liverpool are starting to find their feet, with performances improving in all areas.

Saturday’s 0-0 draw with neighbours Everton was far from a spectacle, but it outlined how Brendan Rodgers’ side have developed this season—the vulnerability that once plagued them is no longer existent.

New signings are starting to click, too, but as summer rolls around, the Liverpool boss could well have his eyes on a couple of new recruits.

Keylor Navas

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Real Madrid’s Keylor Navas is the latest name to join the Liverpool rumours list, with the Daily Express (h/t Peter Guy of the Liverpool Echo) reporting that the Reds are set to ink his signature in the summer.

Navas began life at the Bernabeu just last summer after impressing with Costa Rica at the World Cup, but he has since expressed his desire to leave the club.

That’s due to Iker Casillas holding down his place as Los Blancos’ No. 1 and chances being few and far between, but Liverpool could well offer him the regular football that he needs.

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However, based on current stopper Simon Mignolet’s recent form, it could once again be a bit-part role for Navas if he makes the switch to Anfield.

The Belgian began this season in a slump, making error after error and costing the Reds vital points in the process.

However, he’s since turned a corner, and Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur pointed out that his league record in 2015 so far is superb:

That’s the difference a bit of confidence can make, and even Rodgers, who looked to have indefinitely dropped Mignolet, sung his praises last month after keeping Aston Villa out in a 2-0 victory—per Kristian Walsh of Liverpool Echo:

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I felt today he looked like a Liverpool goalkeeper—dominant, calm, and when called upon, he made a great save. Most impressive for me was when the corners came in. He took the pressure off the defenders and come through people. He’s always been a great shot-stopper and I thought he was excellent.

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Bringing Navas into the side would mean dropping Mignolet, and while some fans would welcome seeing him on the bench, his performances don’t warrant as much.

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Not right now, at least. We all know that the Belgian has an error in him, and if Navas joins the Reds and adds pressure, his moment between the sticks will undoubtedly present itself.

Navas signed for Real for a reported £7.9 million—per BBC Sport—and if the Spanish giants do decide to let him go, they’ll want to come close to breaking even.

However, it’s tempting the 28-year-old over that could prove the hardest task of all, as nothing but the No. 1 shirt will be enough for his satisfaction.

Danny Ings

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Burnley hot shot Danny Ings has been a reported target of Liverpool for some time now, and although their January quest for his signature failed, Rodgers hasn’t been put off the scent—as BBC Sport’s Ben Smith reported:

However, “Liverpool have suffered a serious setback in their pursuit of Danny Ings after it emerged Burnley will seek a record tribunal fee for the 22-year-old”—per Jonathan Northcroft of Sunday Times.

Ings’ Turf Moor contract expires in the summer, when he is set to leave as a free agent, but if the two clubs fail to reach an agreement on a compensation fee, “Burnley will be entitled to recompense because he is under 24.”

According to Northcroft, “Liverpool were willing to pay £4 million for Ings during the January transfer window but Burnley believe their player is worth far in excess of that,” so the Professional Football Compensation Committee (PFCC) are likely to get involved.

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That means that the supposed free transfer will eventually hit the heights of £6.5 million-plus if Liverpool can’t persuade Burnley to reduce their compensation fee, but it could prove money well spent.

Liverpool have a bit of a striker problem at the moment. Rickie Lambert is out of his depth, Mario Balotelli is out of his mind and Fabio Borini is out of touch.

Divock Origi will head to Anfield in the summer, but he’ll only just be out of his teens then and needs time to settle into Premier League life.

Ings, though, is a tried and tested solution for scoring goals.

As WhoScored.com’s statistics reveal, the 22-year-old has scored seven Premier League goals this season—a third of his team’s total, according to Squawka Football:

In a team struggling for survival, that’s impressive, and as Ings is still young, he could yet become a Premier League great.

His eye for goal is reminiscent of Michael Owen—there’s only one thought in his mind when the ball comes his way.

So, while a record tribunal fee may be putting them off, paying over £6.5 million for an English striker with bags of potential and class seems a bargain worth taking.