Adama Traore Barcelona Mali 2015
Promising Barcelona and Mali winger Adam Traore has caught the eye of Liverpool, Stoke and Aston Villa. Getty Images

Strengthening the tip of the attack and midfield have become Liverpool’s top priorities for the rest of the summer transfer session, and manager Brendan Rodgers is presently targeting young forwards and wingers in Spain’s La Liga and France’s Ligue 1. Following the sale of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City and last week’s departure of Rickie Lambert to West Bromwich, Rodgers now seeks diverse players equally capable of scoring and implementing his attack.

But Rodgers has already spent £70 million on seven players , and it’s believed he’ll have to show some restraint in the final few weeks of the transfer period and take Liverpool back atop Premier League this season to secure his job.

According to The Sun, Liverpool join Stoke and Aston Villa as potential suitors for Barcelona winger Adama Traore. The Catalans have slapped a £7 million valuation on the 19-year-old and desire a buy-back clause because they believe he could be a star one day.

Stoke may have pulled ahead after taking the Mali-born Traore and his reps to dinner on Tuesday night, according to Daily Mail, as the Potters look to build on consecutive ninth place finishes in Premier League.

Traore has showed promise by scoring eight goals over 63 appearances with Barcelona’s B-squad since 2013, but he’s made only one first-team appearance and requires far stronger competition to reach his potential, something Liverpool can certainly provide with Sterling out and Daniel Sturridge possibly not returning to the pitch until Sept. 12 against Manchester United.

The Reds face far less resistance and competition for the signature of Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette. L’Equipe reports manager Hubert Fournier is willing to let the 24-year-old scorer head to Premier League, citing his change of attitude amid rampant transfer speculation.

Over the last two seasons, Lacazette’s totaled 53 goals in 94 appearances and helped Lyon to a runner-up finish in Ligue 1 last year. It’s that kind of production that reportedly has Liverpool lining up a £21.2-million bid.

Lacazette could immediately fill in for Mario Balotelli, who turned in an underwhelming run last season in Merseyside after a £16-million fee and could return to Serie A with Lazio but only if they qualify for Champions League group stages.

Lastly, the Reds are still in hot pursuit of summer-long target and Real Madrid winger Denis Cheryshev. Daily Telegraph reports Liverpool have already met Los Blancos valuation of £14.9 million and are even willing to add a buy-back clause to further ease the Bernabeu side.

Cheryshev spent last season on loan with Villarreal, and manager Marcelino desires to keep him, but the 24-year-old is unsure about where he’ll be this year.

"I have no idea as to what is going to happen," Cheryshev said last month. "I've spoken to Marcelino and he confirmed that Villarreal hope to have my services next season but that's all.

"I don't know where I'll be next season."

Madrid enjoys a glut of talent all over the midfield with Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez a staple in Rafa Benitez’s lineup, leaving little room for Cheryshev to play or develop. He would immediately fill a major role for Rodgers and would assuredly have a shot at first-team duties from the start.