Earlier this season, Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini confirmed that he is interested in signing Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva, and new reports suggest that Rodgers has a swap deal in mind involving one of LFC's long-term transfer targets.
According to The Mirror on Sunday:
* Liverpool are considering a swap deal involving Lucas Leiva and Inter midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
* Rodgers is willing to let Lucas leave, but only if he can get 'incredible' Kovacic in return.
Liverpool have already reportedly agreed a deal to sign Kovacic this summer. In March, ITV Sport claimed:
"Mateo Kovacic will join Liverpool for £22m (€30m) in May. Inter are desperate to sell and the Reds have agreed to meet their asking price".
Soon after, a separate report claimed that:
* Kovacic is 'desperate' to join Liverpool over Manchester United and Arsenal.
* Liverpool recently scouted Kovacic, and were 'impressed' by his ability.
If these reports are true, then it looks like Liverpool are trying to lower Kovacic's transfer fee by bringing Lucas into the equation, but if this deal goes ahead, then the Reds will still have to fork out a significant sum for the young midfielder.
In August, Sportmediaset claimed that Napoli were willing to pay €12m for Lucas, so if that's his current value, then Liverpool are looking at around €18m (plus Lucas) for Kovacic.
Some info about Kovacic:
* Versatile: Can play as a deep-lying mid, attacking mid, wide left.
* Current contract expires in June 2017.
* This season: 8 goals/2 assists in 38 games.
* 19 apps for the Croatian national team.
* His idol is Robert Prosinecki, to whom he is often compared.
The obvious question here is this: why is Kovacic allegedly 'desperate' to join Liverpool ahead of Man United and Arsenal?
* Kovacic has no special affinity for and/or connection with LFC.
* The Reds cannot compete when it comes to salary demands.
* Man United and Arsenal qualify for the CL on a more consistent basis.
* Both clubs have more renowned managers.
* Gerrard aside, Liverpool have no internationally renowned players.
* Arsenal and MU have the likes of Sanchez, Ozil, Rooney, Di Maria, Falcao etc.
It doesn't compute. Additionally, why are Inter 'desperate' to sell a player who seems to be one of the most highly-rated young players in Europe? After flogging Coutinho to Liverpool for negligently cheap fee, surely the Serie A giants won't make the same mistake twice?
Author: Jaimie K
According to The Mirror on Sunday:
* Liverpool are considering a swap deal involving Lucas Leiva and Inter midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
* Rodgers is willing to let Lucas leave, but only if he can get 'incredible' Kovacic in return.
Liverpool have already reportedly agreed a deal to sign Kovacic this summer. In March, ITV Sport claimed:
"Mateo Kovacic will join Liverpool for £22m (€30m) in May. Inter are desperate to sell and the Reds have agreed to meet their asking price".
Soon after, a separate report claimed that:
* Kovacic is 'desperate' to join Liverpool over Manchester United and Arsenal.
* Liverpool recently scouted Kovacic, and were 'impressed' by his ability.
If these reports are true, then it looks like Liverpool are trying to lower Kovacic's transfer fee by bringing Lucas into the equation, but if this deal goes ahead, then the Reds will still have to fork out a significant sum for the young midfielder.
In August, Sportmediaset claimed that Napoli were willing to pay €12m for Lucas, so if that's his current value, then Liverpool are looking at around €18m (plus Lucas) for Kovacic.
Some info about Kovacic:
* Versatile: Can play as a deep-lying mid, attacking mid, wide left.
* Current contract expires in June 2017.
* This season: 8 goals/2 assists in 38 games.
* 19 apps for the Croatian national team.
* His idol is Robert Prosinecki, to whom he is often compared.
The obvious question here is this: why is Kovacic allegedly 'desperate' to join Liverpool ahead of Man United and Arsenal?
* Kovacic has no special affinity for and/or connection with LFC.
* The Reds cannot compete when it comes to salary demands.
* Man United and Arsenal qualify for the CL on a more consistent basis.
* Both clubs have more renowned managers.
* Gerrard aside, Liverpool have no internationally renowned players.
* Arsenal and MU have the likes of Sanchez, Ozil, Rooney, Di Maria, Falcao etc.
It doesn't compute. Additionally, why are Inter 'desperate' to sell a player who seems to be one of the most highly-rated young players in Europe? After flogging Coutinho to Liverpool for negligently cheap fee, surely the Serie A giants won't make the same mistake twice?
Author: Jaimie K
