Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Mario Mandzukic and Yannick Bolasie Rumours

It would be one of the biggest shocks in transfer window history if Liverpool didn’t add a new striker to their ranks in the upcoming window—and that really is saying something.

Such has been the Reds’ frustration of seeing their front men fire blanks this season that they quite simply need a new, big-name forward to lead their line. Plus, with Raheem Sterling all but set to leave Anfield, they could have a pretty penny to play with.

And with that in mind, Liverpool have reportedly lined up a swoop for Atletico Madrid forward Mario Mandzukic—per Jamie Sanderson of Metro.

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The Croatian was at the heart of the transfer rumour mill last summer after being deemed surplus to requirements at Bayern Munich, but it was the 2013/14 Spanish champions who secured his services.

However, Mandzukic could already be on the way out of the Vicente Calderon Stadium with the Reds apparently ready to launch a £36 million bid for the prolific striker.

Mandzukic has scored 20 goals in all competitions for Atletico this season—per WhoScored.com—demonstrating the lethal touch in and around the area from which he made his name.

So, in other words, he’s exactly the kind of player Liverpool need.

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The lack of end product in the Reds’ flowing moves this season is arguably what cost them a place in next term’s Champions League, thus making the 29-year-old a perfect solution.

Liverpool fans won’t enjoy this comparison, but Mandzukic is very much like former Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy—nothing is too glamorous, he just gets the ball in the back of the net.

The same can’t be said of the Reds' misfiring striking trio of Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini, who Bleacher Report’s Alex Dimond told Ryan Bailey he expects to be out the Anfield door this summer:

So why wouldn’t Atletico want to keep hold of Mandzukic?

Well, according to Sanderson, the 29-year-old has fallen out with manager Diego Simeone, who is already looking at replacements for his front man—per journalist Henrik Hindby:

While Atletico’s loss would undoubtedly be Liverpool’s gain then, it’s all just a case of whether manager Brendan Rodgers can get the transfer across the line.

Yannick Bolasie

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Rodgers hasn’t had a lot of luck with top players in his ranks. First, Luis Suarez leaves the club after a record-breaking season, and now the new main man Raheem Sterling is seemingly on the way out.

The boss didn’t do a great job of filling the cavernous shoes of Suarez, but he’ll be hoping to fare much better with replacing Sterling, and he’s turning to Crystal Palace’s mercurial winger Yannick Bolasie in his bid to do so.

Liverpool have been linked with the DR Congo winger for some time now—per the Daily Mail (h/t Peter Guy of Liverpool Echo)—and that much isn’t a surprise.

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Back in 2013 when Wilfried Zaha signed for Manchester United, many heads were scratched as to why the Red Devils didn’t look to secure the services of Bolasie instead—mine included.

Since then, though, the 25-year-old has become even more complete a wide man, with skills, pace and power in abundance.

That’s a popular opinion, too, as footballer Elliot Bennett and retired star Fabrice Muamba recently sang his praises:

Bolasie’s performance during Palace’s shock 3-1 victory at Anfield to ruin Steven Gerrard’s send-off proved as much, with even the home fans left applauding his brilliance.

It’ll likely take a crazy bid to lure the midfielder to Merseyside, though, and Palace manager Alan Pardew recently said that Bolasie is best off having another season at Selhurst Park—per Ian Winrow of the Daily Mirror:

"

He needs to find the end product. We might have more of a problem at the end of next year if he starts finding the net because that has really been the thorn in his side—his actual goals. This season, it would probably be a mistake for a top club to get him because I don’t think he is ready. But he will be—maybe in a year or so, when he’s got that final hurdle. He’s a fantastic talent.

"

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Pardew comes across as a noble manager offering gentlemanly advice, but he may well just be trying to keep hold of his prized asset.

Bolasie has scored four league goals and assisted six more this season—via WhoScored.com—and that’s in a team that often find themselves on the back foot.

If he were to make the switch to Liverpool, he’d be a central part of an attacking setup and could therefore demonstrate lethal end product.

Bolasie will cost Rodgers a pretty penny, but it may well prove worth it, as he undoubtedly has the ability to inject excitement back into Anfield.