Liverpool Transfer News: Oscar Deal Targeted, Latest on James Milner Rumours

Liverpool are reportedly lining up a bold summer move for Chelsea midfielder Oscar as Brendan Rodgers looks to put together a title-challenging side.

The 23-year-old Brazilian makes up part of the Blues' impressive—and likely Premier League-winning—attacking force, but he has been somewhat out of form of late.

According to Simon Jones of MailOnline, Liverpool are interested in Oscar, although it is likely set to be a difficult deal to make stick.

Besides the fact that Chelsea are unlikely to wish to sell the midfielder—especially to a Premier League rival—a significant transfer fee would be demanded, with Oscar having penned a contract until 2019 and having cost the Blues £25 million.

Furthermore, Liverpool are unlikely to qualify for next season's Champions League, making them a far less attractive option for Oscar should Chelsea be prepared to negotiate.

Oscar is a hugely talented creative midfielder and has scored six goals and assisted seven this season in the league, per WhoScored.com, though he has failed to add to either tally since January.

However, he was back in the goals for Brazil on Thursday, netting in Paris in the Selecao's 3-1 victory over France, per bet365:

Liverpool would be greatly improved by the addition of Oscar, as he would bring creativity and an added goalscoring threat, but Chelsea are surely not about to sell him on.

And even if they do, Jones also reports interest from Juventus, a far more likely destination for Oscar than Anfield.

However, Liverpool do look set to snatch a player from one of their big rivals in the summer, with reports emerging that James Milner will move to Merseyside from Manchester City.

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With his contract set to expire at the Etihad Stadium in the summer, 29-year-old Milner will move to Liverpool for free on a £125,000-a-week deal, according to Steve Bates and Tom Hopkinson in the Sunday People.

Steven Gerrard is moving on to Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season, and Milner's arrival will help fill the gap he leaves in the centre of midfield.

A reliable and versatile player, Milner has been starved of regular first-team football at City, but he should find a starting spot at Anfield.

Although a somewhat unglamorous signing, Milner's arrival at Liverpool could potentially be a real coup for the Reds, as he is a valuable asset in midfield in both defence and attack.