LIVERPOOL TRANSFER RUMOURS: Van Wolfswinkel, Diame, Doumbia, N?Zonzi, Nolito And Usami Involved In Latest Speculation

Liverpool's desire to take their time with what is a crucial next managerial appointment is in many senses admirable. But, though the season has now ended, there is little time to stand still at a point where clubs are already trying to finalize moves to reinforce their squads for the next campaign.

The longer the hunt goes on for the ideal replacement for Kenny Dalglish, the less time the new boss will have to make key decisions in the transfer market and the more players will already have committed their futures elsewhere

If reports are to be believed that latter problem is already materializing. Ricky van Wolfswinkel, long thought of as a striker who could ease Liverpool's goalscoring woes, is close to signing a new deal to keep him at Sporting Lisbon.

The Dutchman has scored 22 goals this season as has also been linked with Manchester rivals, United and City.

But the 23-year-old's agent Louis Laros has said that Van Wolfswinkel is likely to sign an extension to his deal to keep him with the Portuguese outfit until 2016.

I hope that everything will be resolved before the weekend, he said, according to TalkSport.

Liverpool may also be set to miss out on another forward thinking player, in Takashi Usami. The attacking midfielder has spent the past season on loan from Gamba Osaka at Bayern Munich. After making just five appearances, scoring once this term, Bayern was not expected to exercise their option for a permanent deal, but the 20-year-old was known to be interesting several parties, including Liverpool.

Usami's future now appears decided, though, with German newspaper Bild reporting that Hoffenheim has beaten Liverpool to his signature.

The theme continues with another reported Liverpool target set to commit his future elsewhere. Wigan's Mohamed Diame, whose contract expires this summer is now expected to join Spanish outfit Malaga, according to Daily Mail.

The defensive midfielder had been interesting Liverpool, as well as Premier League rivals Arsenal, Tottenham and Aston Villa.

Liverpool could still be in the running for another holding midfielder, though, with the Reds said to be one of a number of clubs pursuing Blackburn's Steven N'Zonzi. The Frenchman has been one of the few players to emerge from his side's relegation with any credit and is not expected to be out of the Premier League for long.

Sky Sports reports that Liverpool, along with Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle Everton and Fulham are all taking serious looks at the 23-year-old.

Liverpool's new boss may also have waiting for him a prospective deal in place for CSKA Moscow's Seydou Doumbia. The Ivorian reportedly impressed Damien Comolli and Kenny Dalglish having scored 26 goals in the Russian Premier League and five more in the Champions League over the past season.

And the Daily Mail claims that Liverpool will look to renew their interest in Doumbia once a new man is in the hot seat at Anfield. The 25-year-old is also said to be interesting Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham.

Another striking option for Liverpool's new boss could well be Benfica's Nolito. The Spanish forward scored 11 goals in just 18 league starts over the past campaign after arriving from Barcelona. And the 25-year-old's agent, Oscar Font, confirmed Liverpool's interest.

Clubs like Valencia and Liverpool are interested in him but there are still no concrete proposals, he said, according to TalkSport.

For now his challenge is to stay here and have an even better season individually and collectively to win major titles.