Liverpool Transfer News: Javier Pastore, Andriy Yarmolenko, Top Reds Rumours

Liverpool reportedly sent their chief scout, Kevin Hunt, to run the rule over Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Javier Pastore on Friday evening.

The French champions enjoyed a 4-0 win over Rennes in the clash, in which Pastore played the full 90 minutes and set up a goal.

According to France Football (h/t Get French Football News) the Reds had a man in the stands to assess the Argentina international:

While Pastore was involved in the contest, he’s been something of a peripheral figure under manager Laurent Blanc.

The coach prefers to utilise a 4-3-3 system at the Parc des Princes, meaning there’s no natural role for the former Palermo star, who prefers to operate off the centre-forward. A player of his ability would definitely be starting many more games elsewhere.

Here is a look at the kind of quality Pastore could bring to any team that could prise him away from the French capital:

The Argentina man would be an intriguing option at Anfield. While he’s an elegant player with the ball at his feet, Pastore’s defensive contribution can be a little hit and miss. The 26-year-old is happy to put a shift in, although his willingness to engage in physical battles, whether that be in the air or in tackles, isn’t great.

Still, manager Jurgen Klopp may feel as though there are attributes he can work with. The German is seemingly a fan of players who can contribute in different areas, and Pastore has shown a willingness to grow into that kind of footballer. Perhaps at Anfield he could.

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Elsewhere, reported Liverpool target Andriy Yarmolenko will not be allowed to leave Dynamo Kiev for a less illustrious club, according to the president of the Ukrainian side, Ihor Surkis. 

“If I get an offer that will suit Dynamo and Yarmolenko wants to go to this club, I'll let him,” he told Ukranian news outlet UNIAN (h/t Jamie Styles of the Daily Star). “My position is that we should not let Yarmolenko go to such clubs as Everton and Stoke City. Dynamo is Dynamo and Stoke City is Stoke. We're playing in the [UEFA] Champions League, and Stoke City are fighting for survival.”

According to Styles, Liverpool are keen on the winger, who has excelled for the club in recent seasons. As noted by Sport Witness, the player’s agent, Vadim Shabliy, thinks his client will shine for Ukraine this summer at the UEFA European Championship too:

Left-footed, raw and willing to hug the touchline, Yarmolenko would add a totally different edge to Liverpool’s surges forward. And it seems as though the Reds’ chances will be boosted by the fact Dynamo are keen to accrue a degree of prestige when selling their talisman on, something a move to Anfield would offer.

Here is a look at what the 26-year-old, who typically plays on the right flank, could offer Klopp’s side:

In terms of departures, Klopp wouldn’t be drawn on the future of Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen, who has yet to sign a new contract with the club.

“We'll talk about [Allen’s] future, but not at a press conference,” said Klopp after Liverpool were beaten 3-1 by Swansea City on Sunday, per ESPN FC. “I spoke to him yesterday and everything is fine. He's in good shape, and he is a very important player for us.”

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The Wales international has just one year remaining on his contract with the club and has impressed when handed a chance in the team as of late. As Kristian Walsh of the Liverpool Echo noted recently, it seems the former Swansea man is keen to extend his stay at Anfield:

It’ll be intriguing to see how Allen’s future pans out. With injuries to key midfielders, it looks as though he’ll play a role between now and the end of the campaign. But should Klopp bolster the middle of the park with acquisitions in the summer, it’d only push the 26-year-old further down the pecking order.

The Welshman has grown into a popular figure at Anfield and, like a lot of the squad, seems to have taken his game on to new heights under Klopp. As a balanced footballer capable of fulfilling a plethora of duties, he’s definitely a useful option to have at the club.