LIVERPOOL TRANSFER RUMOURS: Dempsey and Borini In? Carroll and Agger Out?

Brendan Rodgers is closing in on his first signing at Anfield. BBC Sport reports that Roma's Fabio Borini could be a Liverpool player by the end of this week, before the club heads off on their pre-season tour of North America.

Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini confirmed that Liverpool had made a move for the 21-year-old Italy international.

There is a real interest shown by Liverpool for Borini, Sabatini said, according to Sky Sports.

We are evaluating the situation with [Roma general manager] Franco [Baldini].

Rodgers has previously worked with Borini in Chelsea's youth setup as well as during a successful loan spell at Swansea in the second-half of the 2010-11 season.

According to the BBC's Ben Smith, the fee for Borini will be an initial £8 million, potentially rising to £11 million. Borini, who can operate anywhere along the front line, scored nine goals in 20 starts in Serie A last season. He was also a non-playing member of Italy's squad for Euro 2012.

The other big story coming out of Anfield in the past 24 hours concerns the future of current Liverpool forward Andy Carroll. The England international has been the subject of speculation linking him with a move to Milan in recent days, with latest reports suggesting that the Italian giants may look to take Carroll on loan. The Telegraph has published an interview with Rodgers in which he was asked about the validity of the claims.

It's something I would have to look at, I have to be honest, Rodgers said. I'm not going to sit here and say I will never let anyone go on loan, then come in here in two weeks and a player's gone, and you're saying 'you said you wouldn't let them go.'

He's no different to any player we have here, they might have all the attributes but not the mentality to play, Rodgers also stated.

Time will tell for him and all the players whether they are in my plans, but my job is to assess that.

The latest speculation has also connected Liverpool with a move to bring in Fulham goal-scoring midfielder Clint Dempsey. The Daily Mirror claims that the Reds are ready to part with £7.5 million for the U.S. international.

There must be doubts, though, about Liverpool's willingness to pay such a sum for a 29-year-old who has never played for a top club and, crucially, has just a year remaining on his contract.

Dempsey has indicated his eagerness to begin a new challenge and specifically to experience playing in the Champions League.

With Liverpool unable to offer a place in the Europe's premier club competition next season, not only may they struggle to attract new talent but they also leave themselves vulnerable to other clubs poaching their best players.

The Mirror reports that Danish center-back Daniel Agger has emerged as a target for Real Madrid. With Ricardo Carvalho set to be included in Real's offer for Tottenham's Luka Modric, there could be a vacancy in that area of Jose Mourinho's squad.

Agger has not yet shown any desire to leave Anfield, however, and it would take a substantial offer to persuade Liverpool to even arrive at the negotiating table.