Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Mario Mandzukic, Eduardo Salvio, More

Liverpool will face competition from Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal for the services of Atletico Madrid striker Mario Mandzukic, according to the latest transfer rumours.

The Croatia international only joined the Atleti last year, but he will be the subject of several bids from Premier League clubs, according to Tuttomercatoweb (via Daily Express' James Cambridge).

Earlier this week, the forward was linked with the Reds, per Metro, while BeIN Sports' Tancredi Palmeri shared comments from AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani, who also expressed interest:

Mandzukic moved to Spain from Bayern Munich during the summer of 2014, and while his start at his new club was impressive, it quickly became clear the forward wasn't an ideal fit in Diego Simeone's system.

Simeone often elected to start Fernando Torres in his place toward the end of the season, and while it's too early to make any definitive statements on Mandzukic's future, a summer departure certainly isn't out of the question.

Liverpool could use a hardworking striker of his caliber, and unlike Spurs and Arsenal, their need at the position is far greater. Bleacher Report's Alex Dimond foresees a number of attacking players departing at the club:

Mandzukic would likely prefer to move to a club that will give him Champions League football, but if Liverpool end up selling the likes of Raheem Sterling and Mario Balotelli, they'll be able to offer him the kind of wage packet that would be hard to resist, even without appearing in Europe's premier club competition.

Other clubs will be interested as well, however, and the race to land Mandzukic will be a tricky one, providing Atletico are even willing to sell.

Eduardo Salvio Deal Canned

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

According to O Jogo (h/t Sport Witness), Benfica's Eduardo Salvio will not be joining the Reds after all, as scans revealed the extent of his knee injury is far worse than originally anticipated:

Duncan Castles of the Sunday Times provided more details on the injury, Salvio's second to the same knee:

O Jogo (via Marc Williams of the Daily Star) previously reported a move to Liverpool was just days away, but the same newspaper now knows the 24-year-old winger won't be moving to Anfield.

The Argentinian played a vital role in Benfica's run to the Portuguese title, all but erasing the memories of Lazar Markovic, who moved from the club to Liverpool last season.

Transfer rumours surfaced when he failed to show up for Benfica's championship parade, per Portuguese football expert Jan Hagen, though the injury he suffered recently may have had something to do with that:

Salvio is a talented winger, but the Reds already have a number of those in the squad, including Markovic, who failed to live up to his lofty expectations after completing a move during the summer.

His former team-mate is a different player whose ceiling appears to be lower than that of the Serb. Salvio is a productive player, but it's unlikely he'll ever develop into a world-class option at the position.

Perhaps Liverpool were truly interested before the extent of the injury was revealed, but it's hard to see how the Reds would push through with a transfer knowing the forward will be out for several months.

Monaco Duo Reportedly Eyed

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

L'Equipe (via Metro's Tom Olver) believes Geoffrey Kondogbia and Aymen Abdennour are on Liverpool's wish list, as the Reds will take advantage of AS Monaco's issues with financial fair play in an attempt to sign the two.

Both made an excellent impression in Monaco's shock UEFA Champions League win over Arsenal, and Kondogbia in particular has been present in transfer rumours ever since.

The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to just about every major Premier League club, with Arsenal and Liverpool often cited as the likeliest destinations, per Daily Star Football:

The midfielder has had some minor struggles with injuries but projects as a top enforcer in the centre of the pitch, while team-mate Abdennour has established himself as a top defender and would add some solidity to the Reds' back line.

Of the two, the latter seems most likely to move to Anfield should the club push for a transfer. Kondogbia will have his pick of top teams if he decides to leave, and the Gunners seem favourites based on their need for a physical presence in midfield and their ability to offer Champions League football.

Follow @ReverschPass