Liverpool Transfer News: Yoann Gourcuff Interest Reported, Danny Ings Rumours

Liverpool are currently in a rich vein of form in the Premier League that has moved them firmly into contention for a top-four finish after a dire start to the season.

However, there is little doubt that further improvement is needed if the Reds are to return to their title-contending form of 2013-14.

With that in mind, Brendan Rodgers will almost certainly add some new recruits over the summer, and Lyon's Yoann Gourcuff is reportedly a key target for the Anfield outfit.

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According to the 28-year-old's agent, Didier Poulmaire, Liverpool have made enquired about the French playmaker—whose Lyon contract expires at the end of the season—per SportMediaset (h/t Metro's Ben Grounds): "In any transfer market, some foreign clubs come knocking at the door for Yoann. In the past it was Manchester City, while this year it’s Liverpool. I’m sure offers will arrive in the next window."

Given Gourcuff's contract situation, the Reds could pick up a bargain if they do indeed sign him, although his wages are not likely to be cheap.

However, Liverpool should arguably look to splash out on a player who has previously been favourably compared to Zinedine Zidane and described by French football expert Julien Laurens as "without a doubt, the most talented player of his generation in France."

While Gourcuff has never quite lived up to that potential—being consistently plagued by injury since his Ligue 1 victory with Bordeaux in 2009—his quality is still undeniable.

He already has the ability to control the pace of a game and a fantastic range of passing, but Liverpool and Rodgers could bring out Gourcuff's immense potential and bag themselves a world-class player. 

His set-piece ability would also make up for the imminent loss of Steven Gerrard, as his talent on free-kicks can be a dangerous asset, as seen below:

Gourcuff has started only six league games for table-topping Lyon this season, per WhoScored.com, and may well be looking for a new challenge after five years at the club.

Liverpool would do well to snap him up in the summer, as he is a player of genuine quality who could make the difference at key moments for the Reds.

A lack of goals from strikers has continued to be an issue for Liverpool this season despite the upturn in form, and Rodgers looks set to bring Danny Ings over from Burnley this summer to attempt to solve said problem. 

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According to the Mirror's John Cross, the 22-year-old striker—who has nine league goals this term per WhoScored—has rejected a potential switch to Real Sociedad, as his heart is set on Anfield.

Ings is another player who is out of contract in the summer; the Reds targeted him in January and now look set to get their man at the season's end.

A fine player on the ball with great finishing ability, Ings should only improve with experience, per the Mirror's Nooruddean Choudry, and could bring some much-needed clinical finishing to Anfield.

Luis Suarez's departure to Barcelona last summer sparked a spending spree from Rodgers which initially looked to have been ineffective.

However, Liverpool now clearly have the building blocks of a strong team, and only slight adjustments are needed in the summer, with either Gourcuff or Ings—or both—potentially fine additions.