Liverpool Transfer News: Yacine Brahimi Bid Prepared, Latest Andre Ayew Rumours

Liverpool are reportedly prepared to bid £45 million to sign FC Porto winger Yacine Brahimi, with the Anfield club already making an approach for the Algerian winger.

Portuguese newspaper O Jogo (h/t Joe Watson of the Daily Star) named the Reds as the third team to ask about the availability of AC Milan and Juventus target Brahimi: "According to the report, the Algeria international has a £47m release clause in his contract. Porto only own 50 per cent of the player's economic rights which could also drive the price up."

But the Daily Mirror's Jack Lang believes Brahimi, who has also attracted interest from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, could "go for £30million plus."

Watson's report also identified Udinese's Piotr Zielinski as a "more affordable target" also on the radar of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

But despite the hefty disparity in fees, signing Brahimi would be the real coup for Liverpool. The 26-year-old is one of the most dynamic wingers in the game.

Few wide players can match Brahimi's immaculate close control, impish trickery and electric pace. He's also versatile, a quality that means he can operate on either flank as well as through the middle.

It's that flexibility that's most likely to appeal to Klopp. The Liverpool boss favours a fluid forward line where attacking players have the freedom to rotate positions and combine at pace.

It's how Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino have played this season. Adding Brahimi to the mix would make Liverpool a more potent force going forward in Klopp's second campaign.

Andre Ayew Available for the Right Price

If Klopp really is determined to find a cheaper alternative to Brahimi, perhaps he'll consider Swansea City's Andre Ayew.

Swans chairman Huw Jenkins will accept £15 million for the Ghanaian attacking midfielder, according to Sky Sports (h/t David Wright of the Daily Express).

Jon Super/Associated Press

Liverpool are named, along with West Ham United and Sunderland, as interested parties, per the report. It's the latter who are ready to make the first move: "Sky Sports claim Sunderland are willing to spend £10m to bring him to the Stadium of Light, but Swansea are unwilling to do business for less than £15m."

But the same reports also stated Ayew isn't against the idea of leaving Swansea after just one season: "If I have to stay, fine. If I have to leave, I have to leave. We'll see what's going to happen, we'll have a discussion and see the way forward."

Ayew's willingness to move on would suit Liverpool since the player has previously expressed a desire to play for the Reds, according to MailOnline's Simon Jones.

Frankly, £15 million represents an absolute bargain for Ayew. The 26-year-old is a supremely intelligent forward who expertly times his runs and can finish with both feet, as well as his head.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Those qualities helped him to 12 goals and a pair of assists during his first season in England's top flight, per WhoScored.com. Ayew would be perfect for Liverpool as either a No. 10 or a false No. 9, much like Firmino has played at times this season.

Klopp needs more options and greater quality in attack to play the kind of quick-breaking, expansive game he favours next season. Either Brahimi or Ayew would be an excellent addition alongside Liverpool's current forward threats.