Account
Liverpool Transfer News: Nadiem Amiri, Antonio Rudiger, Latest Reds Rumours
May 9, 2016
Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Hoffenheim starlet Nadiem Amiri this summer.
That's according to German outlet Sport Bild (h/t Calciomercato, via the Mirror's Aaron Flanagan), who list Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid among the other interested parties.
The youngster was promoted to the first team earlier this season and as Bundesliga expert Clark Whitney revealed, he had a near-instant impact in the senior side:
Indeed, as OptaFranz further reveals, the 19-year-old has gone on to be one of the German side's most productive players this season:
While four goals and four assists in 24 Bundesliga appearances wouldn't normally raise many eyebrows, the teenage playmaker has managed to impress in an otherwise fairly poor side who are just two points above the relegation zone with one game to go.
According to Squawka, he has also created 34 chances and completed 25 take-ons.
However, "Hoffenheim are keen to keep their talent rather than cash in early" on the attacking midfielder, as noted by Flanagan, so the Reds may find it difficult to prise him away. Further, while the youngster has done well, there's little to suggest he could instantly be given a starting berth at Anfield.
If the Reds are content to give him time to develop, then they should go for him, but if they're looking for a player to start alongside Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho each week, he's not the one to go for.
A better candidate could be Braga's Rafa Silva, and the Reds have been handed a boost in their reported pursuit of him as his agent Antonio Araujo told Portuguese newspaper A Bola (h/t the Daily Star's Jamie Anderson): "Our client, [Silva], sees with very good eyes the possibility of playing in the Premier League."
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a fine season, bagging 12 goals and eight assists in all competitions from the wing. Per Portuguese football writer Jan Hagen, he was the subject of interest from Porto in the winter transfer window:
Porto evidently failed to match his £15.8 million release clause, but Liverpool could easily afford such a figure, and he'd be more likely to go straight into their first team.
In other news, the Reds are also interested in Roma defender Antonio Rudiger, according to Calciomercato's Daniele Trecca (h/t the Mirror's Aaron Flanagan).
The centre-back has spent the season on loan in the Italian capital from Stuttgart, though if Liverpool do pursue him, they might have to compete with the Giallorossi, as they can acquire him for just £7 million this summer.
The 23-year-old has been a fairly impressive performer at the Stadio Olimpico, with Squawka noting he has made 33 tackles, 45 interceptions, 105 clearances and won 40 headed duels. The German is perhaps more notable for his ball-playing skills, and he has maintained an 87 per cent passing accuracy this season.
Gianluca Di Marzio's David Amoyal believes he has got better over the course of the campaign:
Here are some of his highlights:
The Reds undoubtedly need defensive reinforcements after shipping 48 goals this season, but they may well find it difficult to land Rudiger because of Roma's ability to activate their clause to make the deal permanent.
Further, Chelsea are also named among his possible suitors, so even if Roma choose not to keep him, they could face stiff competition from elsewhere.