Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Josip Ilicic and Joe Allen Rumours
Liverpool are reportedly one of several Premier League clubs "in line to bid" for Fiorentina star Josip Ilicic.
According to Football Italia (h/t the Liverpool Echo's Kristian Walsh), the playmaker is attracting interest from the Reds and a number of other top-flight outfits, including champions Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
The 28-year-old racked up 13 goals and six assists in Serie A last season. Here are some of his highlights:
Ilicic largely plays as a No. 10 or support striker. Liverpool have room for another player to stake such a claim in the team—Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino's places behind Daniel Sturridge look assured, but Adam Lallana's less so.
According to Squawka, the Slovenia international also completed 58 per cent of his take-ons and created 47 chances—by comparison, Coutinho made 49 and Firmino 48 with slightly more minutes spent on the pitch.
Meanwhile, Lallana created the same number as Coutinho, but in almost 200 more minutes than Ilicic, and scored just seven goals.
If he could be acquired at a reasonable price he may be a worthwhile signing. However, with so many other Premier League teams interested, that may be difficult.
In other news, the Reds have reportedly valued Joe Allen at £14 million, according to the Mail on Sunday's Joe Bernstein.
Per Bernstein, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp "likes Allen as a player and a person but would have to give assurances about his position in the pecking order at Liverpool for him to want to stay," which is something he has yet to do and a new contract still hasn't been forthcoming despite him entering the final year of his current deal.
The Welshman had an outstanding end to the season and regularly garnered praise for his composed performances, as demonstrated by Bleacher Report UK's Jack Lusby:
He has continued his good form into UEFA Euro 2016 and has helped guide Wales to the semi-finals of the tournament. Former Liverpool player Stan Collymore is also an admirer:
One of the 26-year-old's best qualities is his ability to retain possession of the ball as he moves through midfield and beats players in the centre, as demonstrated by WhoScored.com:
After initially struggling to impress at Anfield, Allen is now producing the performances that earned him his move for both club and country, so the Reds would do well to keep him.
Indeed, it's possible Wales' unexpected advance through the competition could have delayed the offering of a new deal.
If not, despite having one year left on his contract, £14 million isn't an unrealistic sum to demand given his recent showings.
