Liverpool Transfer News: Rumours on Danilo, Miralem Pjanic, More

FC Porto full-back Danilo has dismissed transfer speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool, among other clubs, as he addressed the latest rumours in a recent interview.

As reported by the Daily Mail's Pete Jenson, the 23-year-old Brazilian joked about the steady stream of speculation, saying: "There are far better-looking faces than mine to be appearing all the time on the front pages of the papers but I know it’s normal that if you play well for this club then other clubs start looking at you."

Danilo's name has been featured in British and Spanish newspapers nearly every day of the last week after reports emerged a host of clubs are preparing to move for the Porto man, who has greatly impressed during the current campaign.

The Daily Express' Joe Short reported Liverpool had been watching the highly touted defender in anticipation of a possible bid, quoting Portuguese newspaper O Jogo. There was just one minor problem: They picked the wrong Danilo, via Portuguese football expert Jan Hagen:

Liverpool have, in fact, been scouting Braga's Danilo, a talented 18-year-old midfielder quickly establishing himself as one of the top young talents in the Portuguese league. The other Danilo is expected to move to Real Madrid at the end of the current campaign.

The comments of Porto's Danilo make a lot of sense, therefore, as he obviously knows O Jogo were talking about his namesake and not the full-back. The extra attention is no doubt flattering, although the entire ordeal remains a little embarrassing for the British media.

Glen Johnson, the man Danilo would supposedly replace at Anfield, seems all but certain to leave the club at the end of the season. As reported by Metro's James McLaughlin, contract talks are going absolutely nowhere for the veteran:

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Reports suggest Glen Johnson’s contract talks are faltering, amid speculation over the full-back’s future.

The England international’s future has looked uncertain for some time, with his contract up this summer, and Liverpool will not be willing to match his current weekly wages, which are reported to be about £100,000.

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The England international's commitment to the club can't be questioned, but a serious dip in form over the last two years has made the full-back one of the least popular players the Reds currently field.

His high wages certainly don't match his ability on the field, and posts like these have become a regular thing on social media every time the 30-year-old takes to the pitch:

Liverpool double-dipped on full-backs during the summer, bringing Alberto Moreno and Javier Manquillo into the fold, and a contract extension for the experienced Johnson seemed unlikely from that point forward.

It's doubtful any club will match his current wages once he hits the open market, and as a depth option, it made sense to bring him back on a short-term deal providing he would alter his price tag in compliance to his standing within the club.

That seems unlikely to happen at this point, so expect Johnson to depart the club at the end of the season.

Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images

Like Danilo, another reported Liverpool target took his time to address potential exit rumours this week. AS Roma's Miralem Pjanic remains adamant his future lies in the Italian capital, as reported by the Daily Mail's Tom Roddy: "It's not time to talk about a transfer, but there has been no contact [with Liverpool]. I am only focused on Roma."

The 24-year-old Bosnia international has been one of the driving forces behind the Giallorossi's resurgence in Serie A, conducting the team's midfield in a manner reminiscent of Steven Gerrard's role with the Reds.

Writing for Bleacher Report UK, This is Anfield doesn't see it, however:

Pjanic has experienced a dip in form recently, but he remains one of the most versatile midfielders in Europe. An excellent scorer and facilitator, he's one of Roma's most important players and won't leave the club on the cheap.

There's no denying he would be a strong addition to Liverpool's midfield, but at this point in time, a transfer seems unlikely, particularly if Roma secure Champions League football for next season and the Reds don't.

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