Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Pedro, Alexandre Lacazette, Raheem Sterling

Barcelona forward Pedro "would become a realistic target for Liverpool" if Raheem Sterling leaves the club, according to Pete Jenson of the MailOnline.

Jenson believes Pedro would accept a £90,000 per week contract to leave the Camp Nou, less than the reported £100,000 per week deal Sterling is said to have turned down at Liverpool, per Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail. Considering the Reds could potentially make £50 million on Sterling's sale—far more than Pedro's worth—Brendan Rodgers could be left with a more established player and cash to spend if this scenario progresses.

Pedro has won everything worth winning with Barca and Spain, including multiple Champions League titles, the World Cup and European Championship. The presence of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez ensures his days of a consistent first-team run are over, highlighted by just 12 La Liga starts this season, per WhoScored.com.

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Sterling's posturing over a new contract will have many Liverpool fans considering an alternative. Pedro is a proven goalscorer, someone who works avidly down the flank and gets on with his job with little hassle. Rodgers may struggle to entice him if Liverpool fail to make next season's Champions League, and of course, Sterling's decision over a new contract will dictate things.

Club legend Robbie Fowler believes Sterling is in the right place to succeed. He advised Sterling to help the side reach this year's FA Cup final and experience exactly what the club is about, as written for the Mirror:

"

Help yourself get to Wembley—and Steven Gerrard get to Wembley, so that his last appearance in a red shirt will be in the FA Cup Final - and you’ll get a glimpse of how you can fulfil your dreams at Liverpool.

[...] Seriously, if young Raheem can help his team get to Wembley he’ll see what a dream looks like, because there is no bigger club when they are in a final.

"

B/R UK's Ryan Bailey and Thom Gibbs recently discussed why the transfer of James Milner, who is available on a free from Manchester City, could also represent excellent business for the club:

Rodgers needs to find additional goalscoring talent no matter what. Lyon's prolific Alexandre Lacazette "features prominently" in the club's plans, according to Graeme Bailey of Goal.com. The 23-year-old is top scorer in Ligue 1 with 24 goals this season and represents the type of quality Rodgers needs to place inside the opposition's box.

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Robin Bairner of Goal provided comment on the potential deal, which could be funded by Sterling's sale:

Liverpool are currently seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester City. The upcoming Manchester derby ensures at least one of their top four rivals will drop points during the next round of Premier League fixtures, meaning all is not lost just yet.

Rodgers' men were well beaten by Manchester United and Arsenal in the last two weeks, meaning one more loss could signal the end of their European charge.

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The transitional club is undoubtedly an intriguing place to be. Some excellent young players are rapidly progressing—none more so than Sterling—while Rodgers is steadily building a team to compete with the best.

Although Suarez's sale slowed this progress down in the summer, spending on Pedro and Lacazette would lay down a marker for the future.