Liverpool Transfer News: Fresh Rumours, Latest Signings Targeted Ahead of Summer

Napoli’s record-breaking striker Gonzalo Higuain is reportedly keen on a move to Liverpool this summer, despite the fact the club will not be able to offer European football next term.

That’s according to David Anderson of the Daily Mirror, who has reported that the 28-year-old—who broke Gunnar Nordahl's 66-year-old landmark for goals in Serie A in 2015-16—wants to sample English football and work under manager Jurgen Klopp. As such, it’s noted he is “surprised Liverpool have yet to show any interest.”

According to Anderson, Klopp is set to reshape the Reds' strike force in the summer, with Christian Benteke to be moved on and the future of Daniel Sturridge said to be “in doubt.” The Argentina international has the class to transform the way the team attacks.

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Higuain has been maligned in the past, although this season he has emerged as one of the best finishers in world football. These numbers from WhoScored.com show just how impressive he has been in Serie A:

As we can see here courtesy of Neil Jones from the Liverpool Echo, Higuain has continued his stellar goalscoring form on the international stage, netting this stunning strike for Argentina:

It’d be a big surprise to see this one come off, though. If the Reds were interested in landing the striker then they’d most likely have to stump up a massive amount to get him out of Naples, even with just two years left on his contract.

As noted by Anderson, Napoli paid £34.5 million to sign Higuain from Real Madrid, and they’d be looking for a big profit on that amount.

While Liverpool are flush, they’re not a club to go spending stratospheric sums of money on players. Additionally, now 28, Higuain would surely not want to spend one of the peak years of his career not competing in the UEFA Champions League after battling so hard to get there with Napoli last term.

Shane Long Set for New Deal

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Southampton are reportedly set to extend the contract of forward Shane Long as they seek to stave off interest from Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

According to Alex Crook of the Daily Mirror, after new contracts were agreed with Fraser Forster, Virgil van Dijk and James Ward-Prowse, Saints want to make Long the next man to extend. He has two years left on his current deal, having signed a four-year contract with the club in 2014.

Crook noted that Klopp is an “admirer” of the 29-year-old, and the Reds have made enquiries about his availability. It’s easy to see why, as Long is a player who plays the game with dynamism and an unrelenting work rate. In a team managed by the German coach, he would thrive.

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Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe thinks Long would be a fine fit for the Reds, noting the improvement he has made this season:

Indeed, previously Long was a player who would occasionally turn in unplayable displays followed by erratic efforts. But under the guidance of manager Ronald Koeman, he has matured significantly and in 2015-16 enjoyed the best year of his career to date. So, it’s no surprise Southampton want him to commit his future to the club.

A stay on the south coast would probably be the wisest move for the striker, too. Long may be tempted by Liverpool and Tottenham, although it’d be unclear as to whether or not he’d be a key man at either club.

With Saints he’s worked hard for that type of status, and the improvements to his game as a result are evident.