Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Martin Caceres Contract Talk and More

Liverpool are reportedly keen on signing Martin Caceres from Juventus on a free transfer for next season, although it’s been claimed the Bianconeri have offered the Uruguay international a new deal.

Having already snapped up Joel Matip from Schalke 04 on a pre-contract, according to Tuttosport (h/t Tom Coast of Sport Witness), the Reds are "in the lead" to complete a similar deal for Caceres, even though teams from Spain, Turkey and Italy—including Roma, Milan and Inter—are said to be keen on the player, whose contract is up at the end of the campaign.

However, Coast's report suggested Juve do not want to let the centre-back leave the club and have offered a one-year extension.

The 28-year-old has proven himself to be a useful acquisition for the Italian champions. Here’s a look at what he could potentially bring to Anfield:

Caceres is currently sidelined with a serious Achilles injury and will subsequently miss the remainder of the campaign. With Giorgio Chiellini absent lately, too, his presence has been missed, although young Daniele Rugani has done a fine job as a deputy when called upon.

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When you consider his emergence, not to mention Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli also being in situ in Turin, you do wonder whether or not there is regular football guaranteed for Caceres at the Juventus Stadium. It's a scenario that would certainly make any offer from a club such as Liverpool tempting.

As Bleacher Report’s Gianni Verschueren noted when Caceres was confirmed to miss the rest of the season, the injury suffered has come at the worst possible time for the defender:

For Liverpool, it could potentially be a brilliant deal. Granted, sometimes footballers are never quite the same following an Achilles problem, and signing a player who hasn’t featured much at all recently would be a gamble. However, Caceres is one of the most versatile and reliable defenders in European football and, at his best, would undoubtedly improve this Reds team.

Liverpool Reportedly Chasing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

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According to Fichajes (h/t Mark Brus of Metro), Liverpool will face competition from local rivals Everton in pursuit of Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer.

A report from Jack Pitt-Brooke of the Independent over the weekend claimed that the Gunners will listen to offers for the midfielder, with the club said to be frustrated at his lack of development as of late. And the Reds have subsequently been linked with a move for the England international.

The view that Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn’t progressed was echoed by Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph when the Gunners lost to Barcelona recently:

Sure, the midfielder should be doing more when given chances, and he’s started a decent nine games in the Premier League this season. However, he’s rarely had a prolonged run of matches since moving to the Emirates Stadium and has had some poor fortune with injuries, too, including a recent knock suffered against Barcelona.

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As Bleacher Report UK noted, as of late watching the England international has been pretty frustrating for Arsenal supporters:

Now 22 years old, Oxlade-Chamberlain needs consistency, and at a club like Liverpool, where he’d be more of a key player, he'd be more likely to have the chance to get that consistency. The former Southampton star requires not only minutes on the field but a regular position in the side, having been played in various midfield roles at the Emirates.

Liverpool could certainly do with a player who possesses the kind of thrust Oxlade-Chamberlain has, too. While his development has toiled slightly as of late, the midfielder is still young and, with the right guidance, can still grow into one of the top footballers in the country.