Liverpool Transfer News: Petr Cech and Pedro Offers Expected in Latest Rumours

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is expected to launch bids for Chelsea's Petr Cech and unneeded Barcelona forward Pedro in the summer, according to reports.

Cech is currently struggling to put together a consistent run in Chelsea's first team after Thibaut Courtois' return from his three-year loan spell with Atletico Madrid. Despite performing admirably during the recent win over Everton, Cech isn't destined to reclaim his place on a permanent basis.

Gary Doolan of the Daily Star believes Rodgers is among those "weighing up" a possible escape route. Even so, Doolan suggested Simon Mignolet's return to form "may make him [Cech] doubt what role he would have at Anfield." Doolan also suggested the Czech Republic stopper "wants to play Champions League football," so Liverpool's ability to make fourth could influence the deal.

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Sunday's 2-0 win over Southampton was a massive step in the right direction for Rodgers' men, who have put together an unbeaten run of 10 Premier League matches since losing to Manchester United in December, per WhoScored.com.

Currently sitting just two points adrift of the fourth-placed Red Devils—who stuttered with Saturday's defeat against Swansea—Liverpool will be confident of nabbing the last European spot.

Cech would represent a top-quality signing, as would Barca's Pedro, who has become something of a forgotten man since Liverpool sold Luis Suarez to the Blaugrana in the summer. TalkSPORT, per Joe Rimmer of the Liverpool Echo, suggests Pedro "could be allowed to walk away" from the Camp Nou in the summer, one year before his contract expires.

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Although Rimmer mentions Pedro may be available on a free, it seems unlikely Barca would seek no fee for a player who could help them adhere to UEFA's financial fair play rules. This is particularly true when you consider the club's current transfer ban means they cannot sign a replacement until at least Jan. 2016.

Pedro has managed 10 goals and five assists this season, making 31 appearances in all competitions, per WhoScored. His fast-paced, instinctive style is highlighted below:

Liverpool's return to form will have Rodgers feeling buoyed ahead of the summer. His squad are beginning to tick, playing smart, attractive football and showing versatility in difficult situations. They dealt with a challenging Saints side brilliantly and will be confident of retaining their spot in the Champions League.

The club's ability to do so is likely to attract players of Cech and Pedro's ilk, individuals who perhaps wouldn't have considered Liverpool prior to Rodgers' arrival.