LIVERPOOL TRANSFER RUMOURS: Borini Deal Announced; Will Dempsey, Negredo Be Next?

Brendan Rodgers has completed his long-awaited first signing as Liverpool boss, with the club confirming the arrival of Fabio Borini. The former-Roma forward has signed a long-term deal for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £8 million.

The 21-year-old Italian has previously worked with Rodgers during an impressive loan spell at Swansea in the second half of the 2010-11 season. Rodgers also oversaw Borini as he came through the youth set-up at Chelsea.

I was very keen to bring him here, said Rodgers, according to the Liverpool website. Fabio fits the model of what we're trying to do in building not only for now, but also for the future.

He's a big talent, 21 years of age, he scores goals, and his passion, focus and concentration is a very important part of his game--and a big part of what you want from a player.

Borini said Rodgers played a big part in his decision to come to Anfield.

He was very important, he said in an interview with the Liverpool website. I wouldn't say it was the key, but most of it came from him.

Borini scored nine goals in Serie A last season as he gained a first cap for his country and earned a place in the Azzurri's Euro 2012 squad. And he said he was delighted to have completed the transfer.

It's a top club that has won a lot of trophies in the past--and will do so in the future we hope as well, he explained. I've got the trust of the manager and the club, which for me is very nice and I'm proud to be here.

With Rodgers keen to implement his particular short-passing style at Anfield, Borini is unlikely to be the last player to join the club this summer.

Speculation has increased in recent days that Clint Dempsey is high on the Northern Irishman's list of targets. The Guardian claim that the U.S. international could well be used by Fulham as bait in a move for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll. Rodgers has conceded that the England international may not be part of his plans at Anfield. If Fulham are prepared to throw in the reported £9 million plus Dempsey it could be a beneficial deal for all parties.

It is believed that Rodgers is seeking Dempsey to add goals from midfield after a deal for Gylfi Sigurdsson fell through when the Iceland international opted to join Tottenham.

If Carroll departs, Liverpool could also bolster their attacking options with the signing of Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo. Spanish publication AS has claimed that the Reds, along with Arsenal, are maintaining an interest in the Spanish international.

Negredo, 26, has proven one of the most consistent scorers in Spanish football in recent seasons. The former Real Madrid man hit 14 goals in La Liga last term having netted 20 in the previous campaign. A good all-round front man, Negredo was in Spain's squad for Euro 2012, appearing from the start in the semifinal with Portugal.