Liverpool Transfer News: Miralem Pjanic Eyed by Reds in Roma Raid Rumours

Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic will be the subject of a £25 million bid from Liverpool this summer, with reports suggesting that the Reds are eyeing up three Giallorossi stars.

According to Garry Doolan of the Daily Star, Brendan Rodgers will look to lure Pjanic, Radja Nainggolan and Keita Balde Diao to Anfield as he plots a spending spree of circa £75 million. And while Diao is one of the finest young prospects on the continent, it’s the former two of the aforementioned trio that represent intriguing targets for Liverpool.

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Steven Gerrard will leave the club this summer after an iconic spell at Anfield, and it’s going to be intriguing to see just how Rodgers looks to fill the void left by the departing skipper. Pjanic, it seems, could well be the ideal candidate.

Here’s a look at why:

As noted here by Empire of the Kop, Rodgers was spotted in the eternal city last week, adding fuel to rumours regarding a potential switch:

It’s easy to see why he may be targeting Pjanic, though. The Bosnia-Herzegovina midfielder certainly boasts the range of passing and intelligence in the final third to replace Gerrard’s offensive output. Like the Reds skipper, he’s capable of playing as an advanced or orthodox central midfield player too.

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As noted recently by WhoScored.com, the 24-year-old is adept at dictating a match with real distinction:

Pjanic would be a wonderful fit at Anfield and a player whose ability to manage the game would see him flourish in a system founded on technical traits. But a fee of £25 million seems cheap for a player of undeniable quality, and his importance is such to Roma that it’s difficult to see them selling for such a meagre amount.

With that in mind, Liverpool might be pressed into pursuing other options. Indeed, with players like Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, Raheem Sterling and Lazar Markovic already in situ at Anfield, the Reds are already pretty well stocked for midfield men who are offensively minded.

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So perhaps Nainggolan—who boasts more defensive instincts than Pjanic—would be a more sensible purchase. Here are the kind of attributes he would potentially bring to the heart of the Reds’ midfield:

It’s been quite the rise for the Belgian star as of late, as his rumbustious, dynamic displays have seen him cement his status as one of Serie A’s best midfield men. The man dubbed as "il Ninja" resembles a younger Gerrard—busting a gut to get to the ball in midfield, putting in thunderous challenges and surging forward to break opposition lines.

As noted here by WhoScored.com, he’s also showcased an ability to be incisive in dangerous areas during this season:

Looking at the personnel available to Rodgers, a move for the Belgian would definitely make more sense. Nainggolan would add so many attributes that would provide an underpinning assurance to Liverpool’s array of polished midfield talent and the kind of gusto that has been absent since Gerrard’s role in the team started to change.

Pjanic is a fine player, a talent who would be a major coup for the Reds. Based on his current qualities, he is a midfielder who would be a direct replacement for the departing skipper. But if the Anfield faithful want a man who can replicate the formerly ferocious impact of their captain, Nainggolan is the player who should be pursued with the most endeavour.