According to reports Kenny Dalglish is likely to have substantial amounts of money to spend this summer, potentially in the region of £80 million to rejuvenate his squad. This will potentially be the most money spent in a summer transfer window since the 07 summer transfer window where Liverpool spent in the region of £65 million on Torres, Babel, Mascherano, Benayoun and Voronin who was a free transfer. There have been a large amount of rumours flying around as per usual at this time of year, and I want to discuss who I think will be coming to Anfield this summer.
Jordan Henderson: This transfer has already been completed and is believed to be £16 million up front with £4 million in future add ons. It is a huge amount on a player who turns 21 next week and has only had 1 full season in the Premier League, but I believe it is a shrewd piece of business by Liverpool. He is a versatile player who can play Centre Midfield and Right Midfield, and has huge amounts of energy. He covers on average 13km in a game which is unbelievable, and has a good range of passing. He is a typical box to box midfield, but just needs to add more goals to his game to fulfil his undoubted potential.
Charlie Adam: Liverpool have been pursuing Adam since last January but are confident of getting there man this summer following Blackpool’s relegation from the Premiership. A fee in the region of £9-10 million seems likely, and would be reasonable for a player of his great technical ability. The 26 year old will give Liverpool the passing ability and intelligence that Liverpool have lacked since Xabi Alonso left the club and will make us an even bigger threat at set pieces. Blackpool scored the most goals from set pieces this season which is evidence of Adam’s ability from a dead ball situation, and his freekick against Blackburn this season was one of the best I’ve seen.
Stewart Downing: Liverpool have been crying out for an out an out winger since the days of John Barnes and Steve Heighway. I felt Albert Riera gave Liverpool more of a threat down the Left Hand side, and had a big part to play in the team that finished 2nd in 08/09, but he was sent out to Olympiakos after an alleged bust up with Benitez. Downing, for me is the out an out wideman Liverpool need, particularly with the Aerial ability Liverpool have in the box with Andy Carroll. Downing can cross fantastically well, and has the ability to beat his man consistently. At 26 years old, he is at his peak and would be available for a fee of around £15 million and would likely to be playing on the left hand side of a 3, in a potential 4-3-3 formation.
Connor Wickham: The 18 year old Ipswich Town player is currently at the Euro U21 Championships and is the youngest player there out of all the players present. He has huge potential and would likely replace David Ngog who is on his way to Sunderland. He is a huge presence for his age, and has drawn comparisons to Alan Shearer. Ipswich are believed to want £10 million for him and Wickham is believed to favour a move to Liverpool , where he could fulfil the potential he obviously has.
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Jose Enrique: Liverpool have not had a consistent left-back since John Arne-Riise left for Roma. Fabio Aurelio is a top player, but injuries have plagued his career, and Emiliano Insua has not lived up to his potential. Jose Enrique has had a good season at Newcastle, with his crossing aiding Carroll significantly while he was at the club. He has the ability to attack well, but can also defend resilliently when called upon, which most modern fullbacks seems to struggle with. At 25 years old he has the best days of his career ahead of him, and him and Downing could form a strong partnership down the left hand side. His fee is believed to be in the region of £8-9 million and Liverpool could easily match that fee.
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Scott Dann: The Birmingham Centre Back has been a talismanic figure at the heart of their defence alongside Roger Johnson. Despite winning the Carling Cup Birmingham were relgated on the last day of the season, partly due to the fact Dann was injured for a few months at the end of the campaign. Liverpool need someone to replace Sortirios Kyrigiakos who is out of contract this summer. The 24 year old is strong, good at tackling and reads the game well. He would be good cover for Agger or Skrtel if they got injured, and would be pushing for a place in the 1st team. Birmingham are believed to want £10 million, and with Dann being a boyhood red, the move could materialise.
Charles N’Zogbia: The French winger has undoubtedly just had his best season in English Football with Wigan, with his performances at the end of the season keeping them up. He is a fantastic dribbler, who can cut inside on to his left foot if he’s playing on the right, and can also play on the left hand side of midfield. N’Zogbia would be willing to move from Wigan if the right team came along, and at 24 years old, would fit FSG’s mindset of young players with high potential resale value. Wigan are believed to want £9 million for him which is a reasonable fee, and he would be a great player to be able to bring off the bench to make an impact.
With these potential signings Liverpool would strongly be challenging for a place in the top 4 at the minimum and would have the infrastructure to seriously challenge for the title in a few years with some bright young talent coming through the ranks as well.
This article was written by Simon Hurst and is courtesy of our partner website ourkop.com
