Liverpool Transfer News: Luciano Vietto Keen on Move, Philippe Coutinho Warning

Villarreal sensation Luciano Vietto has admitted he’d be keen on a move to Liverpool at the end of the season amidst rumours of a £12 million transfer.

The 22-year-old star has been at the forefront of Marcelino’s effervescent team since signing from Racing Club in the summer, lighting up La Liga with an array of magnificent displays. But his stay in Spain’s top flight could be set to come to an end pretty soon, as he was coy when quizzed on focus from the Reds.

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“If these great teams come forward and make an offer we’ll see,” he told AS (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro) about Liverpool’s reported interest. “The offer would first have to be very good, but it would be very good for me and good for Villarreal.”

Here’s a look at why Vietto is apparently attracting the attentions of the Reds:

Looking at his displays so far this season, £12 million would be a steal for a player who has the potential to grow into a world-class talent. In his first season at the Madrigal club he’s given this team a refreshing edge at the sharp end of the pitch, scoring 16 goals in all competitions so far this campaign, per WhoScored.com.

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Stylistically, there’s something very Luis Suarez-esque about the Villarreal man. He’s a bundle of energy at the top end of the pitch, combining an unrelenting ferocity off the ball with forensic finishing, assured dribbling and searing pace on it.

As noted by Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez, when you consider this is his first season in European football, his achievements are pretty staggering:

If Liverpool were able to land Vietto for a fee of £12 million, it’d be a major coup. Granted, the Premier League is a lot more unforgiving than the Spanish top flight, and the Argentine star would have to adapt to its robust nature, but all the requisite attributes are there for the player to go on and become top quality.

Indeed, Cristian Nyari of FCB Media thinks there will be plenty of illustrious sides in the running for his signature:

Rodgers has shown throughout his Liverpool tenure that if a player has raw but malleable talent, he can help refine them into a classy operator. That’s something Vietto should definitely consider as he plots his future, with the form of Philippe Coutinho an emphatic indicator of what good a move to Anfield can do.

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The Brazilian starlet is enjoying a wonderful purple patch at the moment for the Reds, with his stunner against Manchester City the latest in a run of magnificent winning strikes from the former Internazionale man.

Liverpool deserve massive credit for landing him for a meagre £8.5 million back in January 2013 and Rodgers has warned any potential suitors he'd be worth well in excess of that figure in the aftermath of the player’s latest virtuoso display, per David McDonnell of the Mirror:

"

I think he’s a star in the Premier League already. He joined us for £8.5m three years ago – it’s frightening to know what he could be worth now.

He’s a joy to watch and now he’s started scoring goals. He’s a kid who has so much ahead of him in the game.

He’s 22 and people forget he came to us at 19. He is a sensational footballer and to beat Joe Hart from that angle and with that power was phenomenal.

"

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Indeed, Coutinho has grown into a hugely important influence for the Reds, as illustrated here by Sky Sports News HQ:

If the 22-year-old can preserve these stratospheric levels, ultimately the biggest clubs in the world will begin to show an interest, just as they did in Suarez after his exploits in a red shirt. But with a new long-term deal recently signed, the Anfield faithful can sit back and enjoy the purring displays being turned in by this young man on a regular basis.

Coutinho is seemingly relishing the role as Liverpool’s talisman and adding a steady stream of goals to his delectable midfield play will only further enhance his burgeoning reputation. He’s well on his way to becoming one of the Premier League’s finest and is evident by his progression at the club so far, Anfield is the perfect place for him to realise his stratospheric potential.