Liverpool Transfer News: Leroy Sane Eyed, Latest Dani Ceballos Rumours

Footballer-turned-pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft expects Liverpool to push hard for the transfer of Schalke 04 starlet Leroy Sane during the January transfer window.

As reported by the Daily Telegraph, the youngster is being tracked by a host of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, but Aage Fjortoft believes Liverpool will do everything possible to sit at the front of the queue:

The 19-year-old is in the middle of a tremendous breakout season after impressing during the 2014-15 campaign, and he was recently called up to Germany's senior side for the first time, via Euro 2016's official Twitter account.

A versatile attacking option who can play as a striker, winger or attacking midfielder, Sane has already scored four goals and added three assists in the Bundesliga this season, per WhoScored.com.

As shared by Squawka, that puts him on a level of his own:

Blessed with phenomenal technique, athleticism and vision, the teenager has the look of a future superstar, and the fact that he's already been called up by World Champions Germany, who aren't exactly short of attacking options, is a clear indication of his talent.

Football writer Cristian Nyari didn't mince his words when assessing Sane:

All of this is fantastic news for Schalke, who are likely already preparing for an onslaught of transfer rumours and offers from bigger clubs. The Bundesliga side will do everything possible to avoid losing their star man in January, which would be about the worst scenario possible for the club from Gelsenkirchen.

Sane is only just starting to establish himself as one of the world's top talents, so his value is relatively low, compared to his huge potential. As he develops, his value on the open market will go through the roof, and it's pivotal for Schalke that when they do sell, they do so when the price is right.

That likely won't be in January. The Reds may be willing to pay well beyond Sane's value at this point, but even then, it's hard to see any scenario in which Schalke agrees to a sale.

That doesn't mean Liverpool won't try or that a move is impossible―it's just not very plausible.

Dani Ceballos Comments on Transfer Rumours

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Reported Liverpool, Arsenal and Real Madrid transfer target Dani Ceballos has pledged his allegiance to current club Real Betis, telling Estadio Deportivo (h/t Daily Express' James Cambridge) that the consistent transfer speculation never resulted in him talking to any of the interested parties:

"

There was never any contact with another team.

Being wanted or tracked by these kinds of teams is a sign that I am doing something good, but I want to make it clear that I have not been in contact with any of the teams that I was linked with. 

I just think about Betis. It is what I want. I have signed a four-year contract and I have great enthusiasm for being here. Whether it is for a season, two seasons or four, I want to give my best. 

"

Ceballos became a popular name in the transfer rumour mill after a superb 2014-15 campaign in which he played a big role in Real Betis' promotion to La Liga.

He entered the 2015-16 campaign with just one year left on his contract and didn't appear to be in any rush signing a new deal. The likes of Liverpool could have approached him in January and signed him to a pre-contract had the situation persisted, but Ceballos ended up signing a new deal with Betis instead, containing a buyout clause of £8.8 million.

The 19-year-old central midfielder is often compared to compatriot and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas for his incredible vision and ability with the ball at his feet. He has the versatility to play a more attacking role, however, frequently moving further up the pitch to play behind the strikers.

Ceballos' buyout clause looks fairly reasonable given his talent, although it's worth remembering Spanish buyout clauses are not as straightforward as standard release clauses, as explained by Sportskeeda's Nikhil Srivastava. Regardless, he seems unlikely to leave Betis anytime soon.

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