Liverpool Transfer News: Huge Deals Sought by Brendan Rodgers in Latest Rumours

Brendan Rodgers is set to raid Ligue 1 for talent this summer as he pursues Javier Pastore and Andre Ayew.

According to Jamie McLaughlin of the Metro, via David Prentice of the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool are seeking a marquee signing to replace the MLS-bound Steven Gerrard, and the Paris Saint-Germain playmaker has been identified as the perfect candidate.

The Argentinian is versatile and has featured heavily in both midfield and forward positions this season, scoring six goals and making 13 assists for PSG in all competitions, per WhoScored.com. 

According to Squawka, Pastore is the top chance-creator at PSG having laid on 50 opportunities for his team-mates in Ligue 1, just two fewer than Philippe Coutinho has for the Reds in the Premier League.

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

The ever-mercurial Eric Cantona even went so far as to say, per the Guardian: "For me, the best player in the world is Javier Pastore. I watched two PSG games just to see him play. For me, he is the most creative player at the moment. Pastore is full of surprises. I love this kind of player."

Though Cantona may be forgetting a significant number of candidates for that category ahead of Pastore, the Argentinian would make an excellent signing for Rodgers.

Though he is not in the same mould as Gerrard, Pastore can add flair and creativity to Liverpool's midfield. OptaJean has noted the 25-year-old's effectiveness this season:

If utilised in an advanced role, he could also form a successful partnership with Daniel Sturridge reminiscent of the Gerrard-Fernando Torres days, with Pastore providing the Englishman with all the ammo he needs to fire Liverpool up the table.

Claude Paris/Associated Press

Another Ligue 1 target for Liverpool is Marseille's Ayew, per Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star (via David Prentice of the Liverpool Echo).

Ayew's contract expires at the conclusion of this campaign, and club president Vincent Labrune expects his next destination to be the Premier League.

Per Malata, he said: "We can’t keep Ayew. He is a very important player for OM but we can’t offer him the kind of money that English clubs can offer. The French financial system is complicated and we can’t offering him an equivalent salary to what he can earn in England."

The Ghanaian star can play in central midfield or on the left, and he has chipped in with 10 goals and two assists for Marseille this year, per WhoScored.com.

The 25-year-old is also known for his defensive work rate, as evidenced by his 46 successful tackles in Ligue 1 this season, bettered only by Emre Can, Jordan Henderson and Lucas Leiva in Liverpool's squad, per Squawka.

Ayew is a talented player, but he may not be the world-class name that Liverpool fans crave. However, on a free transfer the risk is minimal and Ayew is certainly worthy of a chance to prove himself in the Premier League.

Expect to see the midfielder featuring on the left at Anfield next season.