Liverpool Transfer News: Rafa Silva Rumours Emerge, Josh Vela Reportedly Scouted

Liverpool and Everton are reportedly ready to do battle for Braga star Rafa Silva, according to Portuguese media.

O Jogo (h/t Metro's Hannah Duncan) reports the Reds are ready to offer the Portuguese side £7.5 million for the 21-year-old midfielder, whose contract contains a £19 million buy-out clause.

The young midfielder has emerged as one of Portugal's most appealing transfer targets over the course of the past two seasons, making his debut for the national team last year.

Silva has all of the physical tools and technical ability to be a force playing as an attacking midfielder, and his raw speed and athleticism means he can also split out wide.

This is Anfield's Marco Lopez is a fan, although he questions why the club would be looking at another midfielder:

His fit does appear to be the main stumbling block. Brendan Rodgers already has an arsenal of attacking midfielders to choose from, and with the likes of Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic likely favoured for a starting role in the 2015-16 campaign, one has to wonder why the club would invest even more money in the position.

Silva remains under contract on a long-term basis, so the idea Braga would accept an offer less than half of his reported buy-out clause is curious at best. For £7.5 million, he would be a massive bargain, but at £19 million, he seems like more of a luxury purchase, and one the club can't afford to make right now.

A move for Bolton Wanderers star Josh Vela appears to make more sense. According to the Daily Mail's Simon Jones, the Reds are monitoring his situation after the 21-year-old made a big impression during their recent FA Cup clash.

MailOnline Sport couldn't get past his excellent performance against Liverpool when they released their player ratings:

Liverpool tried to persuade the youngster to join the club years ago, when he was 17, but per Jones, Bolton wouldn't budge. His development hit a speed-bump afterwards, but he's resurfaced as a prime talent during the 2014-15 season.

The Nottingham Post's Leigh Curtis can't believe the youngster was playing on loan with Notts County just last season, given how he now looks like a genuine Premier League talent:

Vela has the versatility to play as a right-back or in a central role in midfield, and he's still young enough to be converted to either position on a full-time basis.

A graduate of Bolton's youth academy, Vela's current situation is perfect. Manager Neil Lennon continues to give the young starlet minutes in an attempt to aid his development as much as possible, something he won't immediately find at Anfield.

It's easy to get carried away with his performances against Liverpool in the FA Cup, but Vela is still a very unaccomplished player. Gambling on the youngster now based on a handful of performances is fine if the price tag is manageable, but letting him develop one more season before making a move seems like the wiser course of action.

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