Liverpool Transfer News: Axel Witsel Eyed Amid Chelsea Talk, Latest Reds Rumours

Liverpool are ready to bid a whopping £30 million in an attempt to sign Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder Axel Witsel.

That’s according to TuttoMercatoWeb (h/t Joe Rimmer of the Liverpool Echo), which suggested the Reds are one of a number of teams considering a big-money offer for the 27-year-old. Merseyside rivals Everton are said to be in the hunt, as well as Manchester United, Chelsea, Juventus and Napoli.

Alessandra Stefanelli of TuttoMercatoWeb has reported that Chelsea are very keen on the player, as they look set to miss out on AS Roma’s Radja Nainggolan. It’s added in that report a fee of £17.5 million may be enough to convince the Russian club to sell Witsel.

With doubts over the futures of Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen at Anfield, according to Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo, the centre of the park could be an area Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is looking to strengthen. Here is a look at why Witsel is said to be on his list of targets:

The Zenit man has been impressive for Belgium at the UEFA European Championship, offering a shield in front of the back four, a ball-carrier through the phases and even a goal threat, heading in brilliantly in the 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland.

These numbers from FourFourTwo’s StatsZone show the kind of positive influence he had on that contest:

Witsel would be a big hit in English football. He’s physical, tenacious in the tackle and a midfielder who works hard. There are times when his appetite for challenges can get him into trouble, but in the main, he’s a robust central midfielder who’d improve plenty of the Premier League's elite sides.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Looking at the Reds’ options in the middle of the park, the Belgium man could be an ideal partner for Emre Can. Klopp has always sought to pair midfielders who can contribute in both attack and defence, something Witsel has shown he’s capable of throughout his career. 

However, with Zenit cashing in on Hulk for a whopping €55.8 million (£46.1 million) on Thursday, per their official website, they’ll be under no pressure to move on another star man.

Neven Subotic to Remain in Germany

Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images

Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic is reportedly pondering turning down interest from Liverpool and other Premier League clubs to stay in Germany.

According to Liam Corless of the Mirror, the Reds are still the favourites to sign the Serbia international. However, reports from Germany cited by the Sunderland Echo suggest Liverpool, Stoke City and Sunderland could all miss out on the defender, with FC Cologne said to be interested.

Under Klopp at Dortmund, the authoritative style of Subotic was central to the team’s rapid rise, as he forged a brilliant centre-back partnership with Mats Hummels. Here is a look at what he is capable of:

It’s looking like the time might be right for the 27-year-old to move on, though. As DW Sports’ Alex Chaffer noted, it does seem as though a lot of Dortmund’s long-serving players are on their way out of the club:

Given Dortmund have Sokratis Papastathopoulos on their books and have already drafted in Marc Bartra from Barcelona, chances at Westfalenstadion will be limited for Subotic. Injuries have hampered his minutes in recent seasons, but given his age and the quality he showed during Dortmund's two title wins under Klopp, there is still time for him to find his best again.

Klopp brought Subotic from Mainz to Dortmund when he was appointed in 2008, so it’s no great surprise to see him linked with the Reds. However, the chance to stay in Germany and join a side with whom he’ll likely play regular football will surely appeal to the Serb after such a long spell on the fringes at Dortmund.