Liverpool Transfer News: Michu, Traore, Suarez And Hughes Involved In Latest Rumors
Liverpool have reiterated that they intend to open discussions with Luis Suarez about a new contract at the end of the season. Suarez repeatedly made his desire clear to leave Anfield over the summer, but Liverpool refused to sell and notably rejected an offer of £40,000,001 from Arsenal. But, with the Uruguayan still having just under three years remaining on his contract, Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre explained that the club were in no rush to get him to commit his long-term future to the club.
“We deal with every player in the same way,” he said, according to Sky Sports. “We renew all our contracts with two years to run pretty much.
"As I've said before -- when the appropriate time comes, just like everybody else, we won't treat Luis any differently. We'll treat him the same as everyone and we'll have that conversation when it's the right time."
Suarez initially suggested that it was his desire to join Real Madrid, but, with the Spanish giants focusing their attention on securing a deal for Gareth Bale, no bid was ever forthcoming. Still, Suarez’s international teammate Edinson Cavani believes that he is still holding out for a move to Madrid.
“I am sure Liverpool fans are very happy Luis stayed -- he will be a big player for them,” according to the Daily Mail. I think Arsenal was not Luis's dream move, maybe if it had been Real Madrid then it would have been a different outcome -- but of course Madrid were concentrating on a different target this summer. It is his dream club -- and a club he thinks is worth waiting for.”
Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have shown early signs of developing a fruitful forward partnership, but there is speculation that Liverpool are considering moves to add more goal-scorers to their ranks. According to the Daily Express, Swansea City’s Michu is a target for the Reds. After famously being signed for just over £2 million last summer, Michu went onto hit 18 Premier League goals last season and has just earned his first call-up to the Spain squad. Amid talk of the 27-year-old being poached by a bigger club this summer, Swansea manager Michael Laudrup claimed that the player is now worth around the £30 million mark. And chairman Huw Jenkins believes that is a reasonable valuation.
"We've seen with Tottenham and Gareth Bale that every player has a price,” he said. “We are not in that bracket with Tottenham but they sold a top player. We are realistic about that side of things.
"I would say Michael was about right with his valuation of Michu if you look at the current market, but this call-up enhances that further. We know we have a very talented player and naturally we want to keep him."
While Michu has often played as the main striker for Swansea, his best position is arguably playing in behind. It may be that Brendan Rodgers believes the former Rayo Vallecano player is the man to fill a goial-scoring midfielder role which he targeted Henrikh Mkhitaryan to perform this summer.
Liverpool have also long been linked with a move for out-and-out striker Anzhi Makhachkala’s Lacina Toure. The powerful and pacey Ivorian was one of the few big names to remain at the Russian club following the stripping of their assets this summer. He is unlikely to be there for much longer, however, with the 23-year-old’s representative claiming that there is plenty of interest across Europe, with a transfer possible in January.
"In case of a decent proposal that satisfies all the parties, Lacina can change clubs next winter,” Dmitry Selyuk said, according to Talksport. "The demand for Traore both in Russia and in Europe is quite good."
January could also be the time when highly rated Derby County youngster Will Hughes makes his move to the Premier League. Just 18 years old, the midfielder has long been linked with England’s biggest clubs, with Liverpool seen as a potential destination. New Derby manager Steve McClaren has stated his belief that it is merely a matter of time before Hughes moves on.
“Our job is to make sure he makes it,” he said, according to the Express. "Eventually he will be too good. What we need behind that is players coming through to replace him."
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