Liverpool Transfer News: Domenico Berardi Blow, Latest Stefan Kiessling Rumours

Sassuolo forward and reported Liverpool transfer target Domenico Berardi has hinted at a possible move to Spanish giants Barcelona, complimenting the football played in La Liga and envisioning himself playing with Neymar and Lionel Messi.

During a recent interview with Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia), the young forward addressed the latest round of transfer rumours:

"

It’s flattering to have so many teams following me, but I still have to do well for Sassuolo, a club that has given me so much.

Like every footballer, I’m working to fulfil my dream of playing for a great team.

I like the Spanish league a lot, they play with the ball at their feet a lot there, which is what I like.

Between Ronaldo and Messi I prefer the latter.

Playing for Barcelona? I’ve never thought about it, training with Messi would be great.

The trident of Messi, Berardi and Neymar wouldn’t be bad….

"

Calciomercato (h/t Daily Mirror's Liam Corless) previously claimed Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp would love to make the Italian his first signing of the January window, while Juventus maintain a keen interest in his services, as well as a buy-back option.

Berardi has spent the last couple of seasons on loan with Sassuolo, a club that has very strong ties with Juventus. The Neroverdi bought out his contract during the summer while Simone Zaza moved to Turin, and most fans assumed Berardi would join him after the 2015-16 campaign.

The emergence of a number of potential suitors has complicated matters, however. The 21-year-old is seen as one of the world's top young forwards, and the likes of Liverpool will be very keen to convince Berardi to move abroad.

Berardi is an attacking midfielder who is comfortable out wide or as a second striker. His scoring record is superb for such a young player, having found the net 31 times over the course of the past two Serie A seasons, per WhoScored.com.

Squawka Dave added this stat:

Juventus' decision to let him continue his development with Sassuolo may have sounded like a good plan at the time, but it's starting to look like it might backfire. The Bianconeri haven't had a strong start to the season and could use a creative force like the youngster, who in turn may be getting tired of waiting for his opportunity to shine in Turin.

David Amoyal, a translator for Gianluca Di Marzio, thinks it's vital to remember the Italian champions no longer control his fate the way they might have when they still had partial ownership of the forward:

A transfer to Barcelona seems unlikely, given the Catalans' wealth of attacking options, but if Berardi is keen and willing to spend some time on the bench while he learns from the best, the Blaugrana may spend the cash and add yet another exciting young talent.

He'd likely be a starter for the Reds should he join in January, adding a big scoring threat to Klopp's squad. Adam Lallana has looked much improved since the German manager's arrival, but between him and Berardi, the latter looks like a far better fit for Klopp's high-pressing philosophy.

Juventus remain the favourites to land Berardi next summer, but if Liverpool and Barcelona push for a transfer in January, don't be shocked if the Bianconeri lose out on the starlet.

Stefan Kiessling's Agent Addresses Transfer Rumours

PATRIK STOLLARZ/Getty Images

Bayer Leverkusen's Stefan Kiessling could finally be ready to quit the club in January, as his agent Ali Bulut told German outlet Express (h/t ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld) he and his client will talk to the club to find “a solution” to his current situation.

The 31-year-old striker is no longer the unquestioned starter following the arrival of Javier Hernandez, who has been in superb form of late, scoring five goals in his last four matches, per WhoScored.

Per Uersfeld, Liverpool have previously tried to sign the experienced German, while Klopp also had a keen interest in his service while he managed Borussia Dortmund. With Chicarito stealing the spotlight for Leverkusen, a transfer has never seemed more likely than right now.

Kiessling's situation is a tricky one. On the one hand, he has been an excellent, consistent striker in the Bundesliga for years, and he could be a safe, smart investment in January. But at the same time, he's not exactly a world-class option, and he hasn't looked himself during the 2015-16 season.

TEAMtalk is certainly not a fan of this rumour:

Perhaps Kiessling could rediscover his form at Anfield and return to the prolific striker Klopp and the Reds have been eyeing for some time, in which case this deal could be something of a steal. But fans won't be too excited by the addition of a forward who wouldn't be a clear upgrade and is already past the age of 30.

Value would be key, and given Kiessling's years of service to Leverkusen, the Germans won't part with the forward easily.

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