20 May 2016

Contact Made: Liverpool keen to sign 'amazing' €10m playmaker. Transfer almost done in Aug 2015

Last month, Italian newspaper Gazetta Dello Sport claimed that Fiorentina star Josip Ilicic is on Jurgen Klopp's transfer wishlist this summer, and new reports suggest that Liverpool are actively trying to sign the €10m-rated attacker.

Liverpool reportedly sent scouts to watch Ilicic in April, and according to Calciomercato this week:

"Liverpool have made ​​contact with Fiorentina to ask about Josip Ilicic, who is admired by Jurgen Klopp".

When asked recently about a possible transfer to the Premier League, Ilicic told reporters:

"If we were to get a good offer in the summer, I definitely would speak with my leadership [and] find a solution."

Some info about Ilicic:

* Attacking midfielder, who can also play as a secondary striker, or a winger. Missed only 14 games through injury since 2011.

* Fiorentina: 46 goals/assists in 102 games (One every 130 mins)

* This season: 22 goals/assists in 37 games (One every 103 mins)

* Mar 2014: Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini raved: “Ilicic's vision and creativity is amazing. He’s the first into every tackle. He has to be made to feel important though. For him, morale is a decisive factor”.

* Jul 2013: Liverpool reportedly made a £12m offer for Ilicic.

* Aug 2015: Tutto Sport claimed that Fiorentina boss Paulo Sousa 'blocked' Ilicic's proposed transfer to Anfield.

A goal/assist every 103 minutes in Serie A is excellent, and if Liverpool are to splash the cash on attackers this summer, it should go on players who have a proven record of consistently scoring/creating goals. Plus, Ilicic fits the profile of the type of attacking player Liverpool should (IMO) be targeting:

* Like Yarmolenko, Ilicic is a tall attacking midfielder, and will bring some much-needed variety to Liverpool's attack.

* Rarely injured, which is a vital quality, especially for a Liverpool squad that's regularly decimated by injury issues.

* At the age of 28, Ilcic is an experienced international in the prime of his career.

For a fee of around €10m, this deal is (arguably) a no-brainer, and represents a comparatively low financial risk. Worth a bid?

Author: Jaimie K


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