Liverpool Transfer Rumors Part II : Wingers and Attacking Midfielders
Most fans would agree that a winger is the most urgent requirement for Liverpool currently, with Liverpool lacking a natural winger since the departure of Garcia in 2007.
The current piece is the second part of the 4-part series covering the players that have been linked with Liverpool in the recent past.
Though Liverpool have been linked with numerous number of players, due to the obvious shortcomings in this area, the list would look at the ten most likely winger/attacking midfielder targets.
Part I of the Series :Liverpool FC Transfer Rumors Part I: Strikers and Forwards
Gervinho
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Current Club : Lille
Expected Price : £10-12m
The winger from Ivory Coast, who can also play as a second striker has been on the radar of Liverpool for some time now.
With 11 goals and 7 assists already this season, he has been one of the standout performers for Lille this season.
It was reported in December that Liverpool had tabled an offer for the Ivorian, though a deal could not be reached due to a disagreement over the price.
Newcastle, buoyed by the cash received from the Carroll sale, in their pursuit to replace him, are also said to be targeting the players, though Liverpool are expected to be firm favourites.
At just 23-years, he has built quite a reputation for himself as a result of his performances for Lille and his national team and Liverpool just might be the place where he makes a name for himself.
Sylvain Marveaux
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Current Club : Rennes
Expected Price : Free
Marveaux is a product of the academy at Rennes and has been there for 10 years now. At just 24 years of age, he has made over 100 first team appearances for the team, scoring 16 goals.
Sylvain is considered to be a very versatile midfielder, with ability to play both as an attacking midfielder as well as a central playmaker. However, he has found most success while being deployed as a left winger.
With only six months left on his contract at Rennes and a groin injury ruling him out for the rest of the season, he is not expected to play for Rennes again.
Even the general manager of Rennes, Peter Dreossi announced, “We will never see Sylvain Marveaux in the jersey of Stade Rennais again."
Hence, the prospect of signing one of the most exciting talents on a Bosman alerted a lot of clubs including Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle.
Marveaux is believed to be preferring a move to Anfield. He was present at Anfield for the match against Wolves in January which further stoked the rumors of him joining Liverpool.
Some reports claim that Comolli has just concluded talks and a pre-contract for Marveaux joining Liverpool in July has been agreed upon, however, no official confirmation has been received on that issue.
Arda Turan
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Current Club : Galatarasay
Expected Price : £12-15m
A player who has played all his life in Galatarasay, the 24-year old has notched up over 100 appearances for the club in addition to his 43 appearances for his national side, Turkey.
Being made captain of a big club at such a young age speaks loads about his talent.
He can play both as an attacking midfielder as well as a left winger. Pace and dribbling skills are considered to be his strengths.
Even before a bid was made for the player, he has already endeared himself to the Kop faithfuls by saying, “As I always mention, Liverpool attracts me because of their tradition. In Europe, I am a Liverpool supporter, so if I go to play in Europe, I would like to play for them.”
At 24-years of age, it seems to be the ideal time for him to move to a big club and make an impact during the prime years of his career.
Ashley Young
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Present Club : Aston Villa
Expected Price : £15-18m
Comolli has openly spoken about his appreciation for the left-winger from Villa and Liverpool were expected to land the player in January.
But with the current soup that Villa finds itself in since the departure of O'Neill and Milner, Villa bosses would have been mad to sell him in January and risk being relegated.
Initially, Liverpool seemed to be the only team in the hunt, though recently Manchester United and Manchester city are also said to be in the mood to enter the race for the England international.
With only 18 months left on his contract, Villa may consider selling him in the summer rather than risk him losing for free the next season.
His pace down the wings and his experience of playing in the Premier League makes him an attractive prospect.
Though, the new owners seem to be ready to back the club with cash for the right players, the entry of City and United might just see Liverpool out-bid by the cash-splashing City in their pursuit.
Eljero Elia
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Current Club : Hamburg
Expected Price : £10m
Elia seems to have been a Liverpool target ever since the times of Rafa Benitez.
Though Elia has a long-term contract at Hamburg with a contact running upto 2014, he seems to be unsettled at his present club due to a lack of playing opportunities.
Possessing considerable pace and flair, he may be the solution to the lack of pace in the Liverpool squad.
A versatile player, Elia can play in a variety of positions including on the wings, as an attacking midfielder and also as a second striker.
Liverpool, though face competition from Juventus and Wolfsburg, who had lodged official bids for the Holland international in January, which was rejected by Hamburg.
If he is not able to get more playing time in the remainder of the season, he may well leave in the summer.
Hamburg's loss may be Liverpool's gain.
Eden Hazard
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Current Club : Lille
Expected Price : £18-22m
The 20-year old seems to the hottest property in the continent right now, with almost all of the top premier league teams wanting to avail his services.
He has already notched up 5 assists to add to his 5 goals for Lille this season.
He can play both as an attacking midfielder and a winger.
Ironically, one of the impressive performances that made the world take notice of him was against Liverpool.
The Belgian prodigy has also made 18 appearances for his national team and would fit ideally into FSG's youth policy.
Though with Hazard having a long-term contract with Lille and so many clubs wanting him, the club could end up over-paying to get his services.
Whether, Liverpool want to enter that bidding war or not, is left to be seen.
Niko Kranjcar
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Current Club : Tottenham Hotspur
Expected Price : £10m
The midfielder from Croatia has been impressive in the few appearances he has made for the Spurs over the last two seasons.
However, he has been unsettled due to lack of opportunities at White Hart Lane. With the arrival of Pienaar, chances are expected to further dry up for Kranjcar.
Hence, he is expected to make a move away from Spurs in the summer. Comolli is said to be monitoring the midfielder and Liverpool could make a move for him in the summer.
In addition to his ball skills, his experience in the premier league is said to be one of the most important factors in his favor.
However, at 26 years of age, he may very well be a back-up option in case Liverpool is unable to acquire its other younger targets.
Marko Marin
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Current Club : Werder Bremen
Expected Price : £16m
Though of Bosnian origin, he has spent most of his development years in Germany and is one in a line of stylish mid fielders being produced from the academies in Germany.
With his ability to create attacks by drifting in from the left flank, he can fulfil the role of a playmaker, orchestrating attacks.
With the departure of Mesut Ozil to Real Madrid, he has become the unrivalled star of the team and has been quite exceptional with 4 goals and 5 assists in the Bundesliga so far.
At only 21 years of age, he would fit in quite well with the youth policy of the new owners.
With Liverpool reported to be ahead of Manchester United and Arsenal in the race for the young Bosnian, one can well expect him to be a red in the next season.
Christian Eriksen
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Current Club : Ajax
Expected Price : £10m
He was first linked with Liverpool when Sammy Lee was seen spotting him in a match in Copenhagen.
At just 19 years of age, he was the youngest player in the FIFA world cup when he represented Denmark and also won the Danish 'Talent of the year Award' last year.
The English press took notice of him in the very impressive display against England, in Denmark's 2-1 loss to the Three Lions.
He has a contract at Ajax until 2014 and though he recently made a statement about seeing out his contract at Ajax, with the recent financial difficulties that Ajax are in, they might well be forced to sell the youngster if a good offer comes in.
Liverpool look set to raid the Amsterdam club for a second time in 6 months. Although there is interest from Chelsea and Arsenal as well, the presence of Agger in the Liverpool dressing room might be that extra push that is required to tilt the balance in Liverpool's favor.
Ibrahim Afellay
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Current Club : Barcelona
Expected Price : £3-6m
Liverpool had been heavily linked with the Dutch winger of Moroccan descent before he decided to move to Barcelona in January.
However, with the settled midfield at Barcelona, chances for Afellay have been at a premium and after just a couple of months at the Catalan club, he is looking for a move away.
This might just be the trigger that Liverpool requires to reignite its interest in the midfielder.
Before his frustrating time at Barcelona, he has made over 150 appearances for PSV, notching up 36 goals along the way.
Although he prefers to play as a central attacking midfielder, he has also been employed successfully on the wings as well due to his pace and flair.
With a reasonable price tag to this talented 24-year old, he might well turn out to be the bargain of the summer.
The Others
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There have been some other players who have been linked with a move to Liverpool as well, most notably Charles N'Zogbia and Stewart Downing.
Some reports have also mentioned Dimitri Payet from Saint-Etienne, Javier Pastore from Palmero and Kevin Prince Boatang from AC Milan.
The wings and the attacking midfield is seems to be the weakest link in the Liverpool squad and Liverpool might be looking to sign for 2-3 players in the summer with the sale of some of the flops to make way for the same.
The sale of Maxi and Cole looks imminent, unless either of them is able to put in impressive performances in the remainder of the season.
The next piece would be focused on the central mid-fielders, another area that Liverpool had unsuccessfully tried to reinforce in January and may well try to do that again in the summer.
