Liverpool Transfer News: Gonzalo Higuain Discount Hopes, Piotr Zielinski Rumours

Liverpool are reportedly hoping to negotiate a deal for Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain for a fee less than the whopping release clause in his current contract.

That’s according to Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Sport Witness), who reported that although Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis has previously stated the club would not sell their star forward for anything less than his trigger fee of €94.7 million, the Reds are not put off by the demands and are hopeful of a "steep discount."

Per the piece, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was in attendance in California for Argentina’s clash with Chile at the Copa America Centenario on Monday evening, with Gazzetta suggesting he was there to watch Higuain.

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While the 28-year-old striker delivered an uneven display on the day, it was a performance at odds with the stunning standards he has set in Serie A this season, netting 36 goals in 35 games.

Here is a reminder of them all:

This one would be a huge coup for the Reds. After all, they have no UEFA Champions League football to offer the player next season, and although Klopp is an obvious draw for players, they finished in eighth position last term. One of the best strikers in the world may be able to find a better suitor.

But if Liverpool were to pursue the player, he could be a statement signing to kickstart Klopp’s first full season at the helm.

Higuain is a world-class performer and a player who will surely be tempted by the chance to join a juggernaut of the European game. The Reds could give him that opportunity.

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It would be a fantasy capture for Liverpool supporters. However, according to Oliver Kay of the Times, there is no substance in the reports linking the Premier League club with the Argentina striker:

Per Sport Witness, Higuain has also been linked with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, but it would be no surprise if he were to remain at Napoli. Not since Diego Maradona has a player been so revered at the San Paolo, and the forward may relish the challenge of leading the Partenopei into the Champions League next season.

Napoli Closing in on Piotr Zielinski

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According to Corriere dello Sport (h/t James Benson of the Daily Express), Liverpool target Piotr Zielinski is close to signing for Napoli.

The Reds seemed to be in the driver's seat to secure the Poland international, but the report suggested he is likely to end up at the San Paolo, with Napoli said to be in advanced negotiations with Udinese over signing the player.

Zielinski had previously expressed his admiration for Klopp in an interview with WhoScored.com's Martin Laurence. The same outlet produced the following graphic, breaking down the areas in which the 22-year-old excelled on loan at Empoli last season:

Per Football Italia, Corriere dello Sport noted that a deal is now close to completion, with Napoli set to trade Camilo Zuniga to Udinese, who will in turn be loaned to Watford.

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Missing out on Zielinski would be a blow to Liverpool, as he’s a young player who seems set for a bright future. His talent in possession, ability to float past opponents and capacity to drill incisive passes into dangerous areas set him apart at Empoli. As a member of Poland’s squad for this summer’s UEFA European Championships, he’ll be a young player to keep an eye on.

The Reds have a lot of attacking-midfield men, with Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana all at their best playing off the centre-forward in a central area. But Klopp is obviously keen to fill his squad with diligent, determined and talented footballers; Zielinski would fit right in.