Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Arturo Vidal and Mario Mandzukic Rumours

After a season of woes and disappointments, Brendan Rodgers has targeted two of Europe's elite players in Juventus star Arturo Vidal and Atletico Madrid striker Mario Mandzukic.

According to La Gazetta dello Sport (h/t Colin Harvey of the Daily Star), Brendan Rodgers has swooped in for the midfielder, placing a £14.4 million offer for the Chilean superstar.

But it seems that Liverpool's low offer has not been considered, with the latest news suggesting that Vidal may now join compatriot Alexis Sanchez at Arsenal.

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Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star cites Calciomercatoweb's claim that the 28-year-old midfielder will now move to north London during the summer after Liverpool were told to return with a £25 million bid to stand any chance of landing the player.

Vidal has been the subject of much speculation in the past two transfer windows, with Manchester United among the interested clubs, per Charles Perrin of the Daily Express.

However, the player has always remained aloof when asked about any future plans away from Juve, as he was last December, per Harvey: "My future? I am ready to marry my wife, I'm happy, I have a life here, a house, I'm good in Turin. The best team Juventus is in the league, we are first and we won three league titles in a row. Of course Roma is strong, with great players, and will fight to the end."

Vidal has recently had a less impactful influence than in previous seasons for the Old Lady, yet the club finds itself on the edge of a historic treble with the UEFA Champions League Final to come.

Despite suffering from injury and varying form, the midfielder has managed to get plenty of game time during the current campaign, scoring eight goals in his 34 starts in Serie A and Europe, per WhoScored.com.

Sports journalist and PR manager Ben Fairthorne recently highlighted a link which might see Vidal find his way to Arsenal to join Sanchez:

Vidal would be an incredibly ambitious signing by Rodgers, but it is questionable whether a player of such standing would join Liverpool at this present time.

As the player's career rushes towards its later years, Vidal would surely want to join a Champions League club rather than a Europa League team.

Liverpool To Court Mandzukic 

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In other news, Liverpool will do battle for the services of Mario Mandzukic in the summer from deposed La Liga champions Atletico Madrid.

Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star says the Reds will fight Arsenal and Manchester United for the player, as Diego Simeone targets Christian Benteke from Aston Villa.

Anderson notes the 29-year-old has 12 goals from his 29 appearances this term, but Atletico have surrendered their league title without much of fight, reflecting on the Croatian's goal threat at the sharp end of the pitch.

Liverpool have suffered from the absence of the injured Daniel Sturridge and the disastrous form of Mario Balotelli. Mandzukic would give Rodgers the kind of attacker he does not currently possess.

The physicality of the player makes him traditionally perfect for English football, but his mobility is questionable when addressing the issue of the pace of the Premier League and Liverpool's passing style.

But as with Vidal, it is unlikely Mandzukic would want to drop out of the Champions League. United and Arsenal would surely be better options for his talents.