Liverpool Transfer News: Christian Benteke and Mateo Kovacic Double Snub

Liverpool have been handed major blows in their reported pursuits of two summer transfer targets—Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke and Internazionale midfield Mateo Kovacic.

Benteke’s manager at Villa, Tim Sherwood, has been speaking at length about his star striker and although he’s revealed there has been interest from the Reds, the coach expects the Belgian to play a “huge part” at Villa Park next season, per Laurie Whitwell of the Mail Online:

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I don’t think Christian would pull a sulk or anything like that. He knows there’s too much at stake. He respects the club too much. I’m confident that in my mind he’s a huge part of next season. He’s going to be very important for us.

A lot of teams have sold their one player, Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez, and then tried to get the same results by bringing in six or seven. It doesn’t happen, does it? You can take your £32.5m but try and spend it! It’s a tough market out there. Other chairmen would be happy wouldn’t they? If Christian was to go the prices go up, clubs would hold us to ransom.

I think Liverpool have shown an interest but there’s not been a bid worth considering. They’ve got six or seven strikers themselves at the moment - they’ve just taken two new ones in as well!

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Alastair Grant/Associated Press

The situation doesn’t seem to have altered when it comes to Benteke for a while now. It's clear that Liverpool are very keen on the striker, but the figure of £32.5 million that Sherwood mentioned—Benteke’s release clause—has yet to be bid by the Merseyside club.

The ANFIELD WRAP sums up how negotiations between the two parties are likely to have gone so far:

After the role Benteke played for Villa last season, it’s completely understandable that Sherwood wants full value for the striker. The coach transformed the Belgian’s fortunes and altered Villa’s style of play to suit his qualities. Ultimately, the 24-year-old netted the goals that preserved the team’s Premier League status for the 2015-16 season.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

As noted by Simon Clancy of BBC, the Reds certainly have the money to meet the player’s release clause after the sale of Raheem Sterling:

But John Cross of the Daily Mirror suggested that Liverpool are “reluctant” to pay that much for the striker. While it’s natural to try to haggle a better price, going off Sherwood’s words, it seems as though the striker will be staying at Villa Park for now unless they stump up the cash.

Another player unlikely to be going anywhere is Kovacic. As we can see here courtesy of James Horncastle of BT Sport, the Croatia international midfielder has insisted he wants to see out his contract with the Nerazzurri:

As Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo wrote, the Reds have long been linked with a move for the Inter man. According to David Amoyal, translator on behalf of GianlucaDiMarzio.com, Bayer Leverkusen have also made their interest known. Here’s a look at what he potentially could have offered:

While Kovacic is a stylish playmaker who can fulfil a variety of duties, at this juncture there is little space for him in the Liverpool squad. Manager Brendan Rodgers has Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino to operate in attacking-midfield zones and stylistically, Kovacic would not add a different dimension to either.

Amoyal thinks Inter need to take an authoritative stance on the player:

The San Siro remains the best place for the midfielder to develop anyway. Roberto Mancini has made some key signings so far and the club seem to be on the right path after some recent disappointments; the Croatian’s intricate abilities will be a key part of Inter getting back toward the upper reaches of Serie A.

Antonio Calanni/Associated Press

Liverpool won’t be too disappointed by missing out on the 21-year-old star. The attacking side of this Reds squad has an attractive balance already and provided they can bring in a player who can replace the thrust provided by Sterling last season, Rodgers will be satisfied with his options in attacking midfield.