Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Juan Iturbe and Martin Skrtel Rumours

Liverpool have reportedly approached AS Roma to sign young winger Juan Iturbe, hoping to hold off Arsenal with a £18 million summer offer for their longtime transfer target.

According to Metro's Jamie Sanderson, the Reds are planning to spend big during the summer, and Iturbe sits near the top of Brendan Rodgers' list of targets:

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According to reports, an £18million bid has gone in and Liverpool are hopeful of doing business.

Arsenal have also been linked with the Argentine but despite talk of a £22million offer, they are yet to enter the race.

Iturbe is rated as one of the most exciting players in Europe.

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Calling Iturbe one of the most exciting players in Europe is a bit of a stretch. The 21-year-old has been a massive flop in his first season with the Giallorossi, and while it's too early to write him off completely, it's safe to say Roma are none too happy with what the Argentinian has showed so far, as GianlucaDiMarzio.com's David Amoyal noted:

Ross Catanzariti, a Australian journalist and Roma fan, made it very clear how he feels about these latest transfer rumours:

Iturbe is bursting with potential, but so far he's failed to live up to the expectations. Productivity has been a major issue, and he often looks disinterested out on the pitch. He's not a popular figure among the fans, who'd rather see him depart the club as soon as possible.

However, just one year into his contract, the club bosses likely feel different. Roma invested heavily in the youngster, and it's unlikely they'll be willing to give up on him so soon. As reported by Football Italia, Iturbe has similar ideas:

Iturbe could present tremendous value in the transfer market, providing he lives up to his immense potential at some point in the future. He's perhaps the epitome of a high-risk, high-reward player, and with Liverpool looking for immediate contributors, he may not be the kind of target Rodgers is currently after.

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe listed a number of players who could help the Reds win the Premier League title next season, and Iturbe doesn't fit the bill:

For the right price, Iturbe could well be worth the risk, but getting Roma to accept a significantly lower fee than they paid last season― €22 million, per Football Italia―will be a challenge.

Martin Skrtel Offered To Wolfsburg

Jon Super/Associated Press

The Daily Mirror's Dean Jones reports Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel has been offered to Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in an attempt to cash in on the veteran before his contract runs out in 2016.

The 30-year-old has been one of the Reds' most pivotal players on the defensive side of the ball, and as shared by the Liverpool Echo's James Pearce, he remains a favourite of Rodgers:

However, contract negotiations have been virtually nonexistent throughout the season, and the Slovakian international told The Sun's Ken Lawrence he doesn't expect talks to resume before the end of the current campaign.

Here Is The City's LFC Empire wonders where his value to the club lies:

Skrtel is a veteran of many wars in the Reds jersey, and it would be a shock to see him leave Anfield during the summer of 2015. As a veteran slowly edging toward the end of his career, it's difficult to see Wolfsburg offering a chunk of cash for his services, and Liverpool don't have an immediate replacement in their ranks.

Fans would likely prefer to see him stay on a short-term deal, even if a new starter were to arrive. Skrtel has seen it all, and as a depth option and experienced leader in the dressing room, he still figures to play a significant role.

All will depend on Skrtel's contract demands and Liverpool's offer, but as things stand, expect the Slovak to continue plying his trade at Anfield next season.

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