Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Jese Rodriguez and Mario Balotelli Rumours

Liverpool are reported to be interested in Real Madrid forward Jese Rodriguez, according to reports in Spain. Those same reports suggested the Merseyside club will face competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal for the 23-year-old Spanish attacker.

Spanish publication Marca (h/t Neil Jones of the Liverpool Echo) detailed the Reds' interest:

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Marca report that Real are ready to let him leave, and that Jese wants first-team football – who doesn't?

They also report that Liverpool and Arsenal, who are becoming the new Liverpool and Tottenham, are interested in the 23-year-old.

Mind you, they also say that Real would prefer to send the player out on loan.

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As Jones also pointed out, Liverpool aren't short of players in forward areas at the moment. Manager Jurgen Klopp has added striker Sadio Mane and attacking midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum already this summer.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

They are two excellent signings, and Klopp deserves praise for revamping Liverpool's forward line so quickly with a pair of Premier League-proven talents.

With Brazilians Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino also on the books, it's easy to wonder where Jese would fit in at Anfield. The question becomes even trickier when you add in the presence of Belgian target man Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge as central strikers.

If anything, Klopp needs reinforcements at the centre-forward position, particularly to cover injuries. Although talented and blessed with pace, clever movement and a keen eye for goal, Jese is not a natural striker. He's more of a winger who has also had trouble staying fit for Los Blancos.

Carlos Forjanes of Spanish publication AS reported how Real manager Zinedine Zidane can't promise first-team football for Jese. Given the crowded picture up front at Liverpool, he's unlikely to find first-team minutes aplenty at Anfield, either.

Besiktas Not Interested in Mario Balotelli

One striker Liverpool need to jettison is misfiring Italian Mario Balotelli. An exit for the temperamental frontman appeared on the cards when Besiktas president Fikret Orman talked up a move for the 25-year-old, according to Sky Sports: "In short, we want Mario Balotelli and he wants us too."

Uncredited/Associated Press

Yet no sooner had that rumour appeared than Joe Rimmer of the Liverpool Echo quashed things: "However that seems unlikely now—with the Turkish club seemingly publishing a statement denying those reports on their website."

Just like he didn't fit the football previous manager Brendan Rodgers preached, Balotelli is a poor fit for the type of game Klopp wants to play. The German recently made it clear how the Italian has no place in his plans, per the Liverpool Echo's James Pearce: "He’s not at the stage of his career where he should be battling with four or five other players for one or two positions.”

Balotelli became a symbol for the demise of the Rodgers era, and he can't be allowed to stunt Klopp's attempts to refresh things at Anfield. But finding a willing taker for a striker who has had off-field troubles, as well as on-pitch struggles, isn't going to get any easier.

Liverpool's attack now looks set after some shrewd buys earlier in this window. Now their plans have to be about selling strikers rather than adding more.