Transfer rumours: West Brom ‘express interest’ in Liverpool striker Christian Benteke

Is a exit on the cards for Christian Benteke?

West Brom could offer Liverpool striker Christian Benteke an escape route this summer, with West Brom boss Tony Pulis said to hold an interest in the Belgium.

Benteke looks certain to leave Liverpool this summer after struggling to fit in under Jurgen Klopp and falling behind Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and even midfielder Roberto Fermino in the pecking order to play up front.

With Danny Ings set to return in pre-season he’s expected to jump ahead of Benteke in the pecking order as well. So Benteke is on the fringes of the Reds team and as one of the biggest earners in the side Klopp is expected to move him on this summer.

Tony Pulis is set to fund a move for the 25 year old Belgium by selling Saido Berahino, who is valued at around 22 million and has been linked with Tottenham and Stoke City.

Berahino was left on the fringes of the West Brom squad earlier in the season due to his attitude but he has recently been getting back into the side but many think this is so other teams won’t be put off to sign him.

The Englishman is a off the shoulder striker and doesn’t really suit Tony Pulis style of play and has struggled to make a impression this season even when he has played. Pulis prefers to utilise stron, lone centre forward which Benteke, like current West Brom strikers Saloman Rondon and former Red Rickie Lambert, would fit perfectly.

Benteke proved during his time at Aston Villa that he is utilised best in a team that play with more of a direct approach to the game. Having scored 49 goals in 101 games for Villa Benteke was a success in similar direct approach that both teams like to play.

Benteke is expected to play our remaining games in the Premier League when he returns to full fitness but only due to the injury to Divock Origi. The Belgiums last start came in February’s FA Cup fourth round loss to West Ham.

Benteke told reporters during a international break that he would never have signed if he wasn’t going to be first choice.

West Brom will face a fight to sign the Big Belgium though as Juventus, Atletico Madrid and West Ham have all been heavily linked and whether West Brom will pay half of the 32million fee Liverpool paid for him is another question.

Liverpool line up Markovic and Origi moves

Divock Origi

With the transfer of Adam Lallana close to completion, Liverpool are lining up further signings, Belgium starlet Divock Origi and Benfica winger Markovic.

Origi is 19-years-old and he has drawn interest from Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool, but Liverpool look to wrap up the 6million deal by offering to loan him back to Lille for next season.

Liverpool have watched Origi all season and the Belgium has drawn rave reviews after his performances for Belgium in the World Cup.

Origi seems keen on a Premier League, having admitted it his dream to play in the Premeir League.

As a little boy I always dreamed of playing in the Premier League,’ said Origi, as reported by the Express.

Markovic

‘But I’m still young and now I’m in an important tournament so I’m trying to focus on the team. Then my entourage will see with Lille what I will do.’

Liverpool are also interested in Benfica’s winger Lazar Markovic, rated at 25million by the Portuguese side.

Markovic is just 20-years-old and is known for his blistering speed and an eye for goal, and the 20-year-old will give Rodgers lots of options next season as they look to challenge for the Premier League title.

With Liverpool seemingly completed the transfer of Adam Lallana, the Merseyside club are moving onto new targets quickly.

Liverpool also hold a strong interest on Barcelona attacker Alexis Sanchez, who could be part of any potential Suarez deal. As well as Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri, who recently scored a hat trick for Switzerland at the World Cup.

Lazor Markovic

Divock Origi

Liverpool open talks with Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld

According to reports in Italy Liverpool have opened talks with Atletico Madrid to discuss a move for there out of favour defender Toby Alderweireld.

Sky Italia, have claimed that Liverpool have offered 7million to the La Liga champions for the Belgium defender, who is currently at the World Cup in Brazil.

Alderweireld has failed to establish himself under Diego Simeone, having signed for the Spanish champions just last summer from Ajax.

The 25-year-old has made just 12 appearances for Atletico Madrid and is said to be frustrated at his lack of game time.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is keen to strengthen is leaky backline and the Italian media are stating that Alderweireld is one of Rodgers top transfer targets this summer.

Alderweireld can play anywhere across the backline and he was a transfer target for Liverpool before he signed for Atletico Madrid last summer.

 

QPR closing in on Liverpool flop Oussama Assaidi on season long loan

Liverpool winger Oussama Assaidi is set to join the second tier in English football with Queens Park Rangers for loan spell in London.

The Moroccan winger has agreed to join QPR, as he make a second attempt to make his mark in England.

The 24-year-old had offers from both Holland and Belgium but has ultimately decided to stay in England and a chance to shine in the championship.

Assaidi joined Liverpool just last season for 2.4million, from Dutch side Heerenveen but failed to make a impact in the Premier League.

He played just 12 times last season, with no starts in the Premier League and has watched Liverpool further strengthen their attacking ranks with the recent singings of Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto.

Simon Mignolet welcomes Pepe Reina competition

Simon Mignolet has welcomed the competition he will face with Pepe Reina and Brad Jones for the goalkeeping slot.

The Belgium international signed from Sunderland for a fee of 9million to provide more depth in the team. Mignolet was last season one of the best, if not the best, goalkeeper in the Premier League last season and was voted Sunderland’s player of the season in an otherwise disappointing season for the Black Cats.

Reina has been the Reds undisputed goalkeeper since 2005 and Mignolet believes the task of displacing the Spaniard will only improve him as a player.

“That’s always what has happened when there’s competition,” the 25-year-old told ESPN FC. “I’ve had competition in Sunderland and in Belgium with the national team.

“It’s not only Pepe – there’s a lot of good goalies at Liverpool, like Brad Jones for example – and it’s not only the position of the goalie where there is competition. It’s every single position on the field.

“There are only 11 players who can play and it is something that is normal with being a football player. You have to deal with that. Competition can only make you as an individual better and let you perform better. It can only be a positive thing.”

Rodgers side kick off their season against Stoke City in six weeks time and Mignolet has been impressed by the rapid transfer business that has already been conducted.

“From the talks I had with the manager and the goalkeeping coach I felt they were very ambitious and the club wants to get forward,” the No.22 continued.

“The signings they’d already done before July showed they really wanted to get going. They want to push on again in the Premier League. It was obvious that they are an ambitious club and a big club.

“I know how big a club this is but I think I’m only going to feel it once the games get going. The first few training sessions went okay. I’m very happy to be here and train.”

Liverpool back in the race to sign Toby Alderweireld from Ajax

Liverpool are reportedly back in the hunt to sign Ajax defender Toby Alderweireld, as Ajax have been given permission by FC Utrecht to speak to Alderweireld’s replacement Mike Van Der Hoom.

Ajax have been looking for a replacement for Alderweireld and it seems they have found him, Ajax have been given permission by FC Utrecht to speak to Van Der Hoom.

Liverpool looked to have missed out on the Belgium defender after it seemed that Bayer Leverkusen had begun talks with the 24-year-old but their interest has now cooled, leaving the door open for Liverpool.

It is thought that 8million will prize away highly-rated Alderweireld from Ajax, with the Belgium admitting interest in moving to the Premier League.

There are reports today suggesting that North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are both interested in signing Alderweireld, but Liverpool remain in pole position.

Liverpool are looking for one more defender that will be at the club for year to come but can also challenge for a starting berth for the coming season to add more competition.

Liverpool have been linked with both Ashley Williams of Swansea and kyriakos papadopoulos of FC Schalke 04 but have been priced out of both deals.

Simon Mignolet signs for Liverpool

Liverpool have tonight confirmed the capture of Simon Mignolet from Sunderland for a fee of 9million.

Simon Mignolet was named the Black Cats player of the season in an otherwise disappointing season for Sunderland, making 38 league appearances with 11 clean sheets.

Simon Mignolet is set to challenge Pepe Reina for the goalkeeping slot, as Reina has stated he will remain at Liverpool unless ‘a big club’ come in him.

He becomes the first Belgium to join Liverpool, with Brendan Rodgers welcoming Simon Mignolet to his squad.

“I am delighted that we have been able to sign one of the top goalkeepers in the Barclays Premier League,” said Rodgers.

“Simon will join a club that will give him an opportunity to demonstrate and improve his huge talent.”

Simon Mignolet is considered as one of the best young shot-stoppers in Europe, with Arsenal also holding an interest in the 24-year-old.

The Belgium international becomes Liverpools fourth summer signing having already agreed deals for Kolo Toure and the Spanish duo of Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas.

Sunderland goalkeeper Mignolet set for medical on Tuesday

Simon Mignolet will arrive in Liverpool on Tuesday to complete his 9million switch to the Reds according to various reports.

The Belgium international is set to leave Sunderland after a fee of 9million was agreed between the two clubs on Friday.

Last season Mignolet was named the Black Cats player of the season after playing all of Sunderland’s league games, keeping 11 clean sheets.

The 25-year-olds arrival has put long-standing goalkeeper Pepe Reina’s future in doubt at Liverpool, having been the Merseysiders number one for the last eight years.

Pepe Reina has attracted interest from both Arsenal and Barcelona, with the Catalan club wanting to replace Victor Valdes with Reina. This was put in doubt as Valdes has stated he wants to remain at Barcelona for the last year of his contract.

Reina has stated he will stick to his contract unless a ‘big club’ come in for him, preferable Barcelona who are ready to come back next season when Valdes leaves.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has also reassured Reina stating that Mignolet will add much needed competition to that position and is not replacing the Spaniard.

Mignolet will be Liverpool’s fourth summer signing if completed after Kolo Toure on a free transfer with Spaniards Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto arriving earlier this week for a combined 15million.

Jose Reina vs Simon Mignolet 2012-13

JOSE REINA

VS

SIMON MIGNOLET

WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Liverpool agree 9million fee for Simon Mignolet

Liverpool have agreed a 9million fee for Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

The Black Cats player of the year is set to be on Merseyside next week to discuss personal terms and to undertake a medical.

The 24-year-old arrived in Wearside in June 2010 for 2million from Belgium side Sint-Truiden and has gone on to make 101 appearances for Sunderland.

Mignolet impressed greatly last season keeping 11 clean sheets and played every single league game in a disappointing season for Sunderland.

The Belgium international believes a move to a bigger club will greatly improve his chances of being Belgium’s number one before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

It is said that Mignolet wants assurances over his place in the team as Reina has said he will stick to his contract unless a big club come in for him, with Arsenal and Barcelona both being heavily linked with the Spanish goalkeeper.

Mignolet will possible be The Reds fourth signing by the time he arrives, as The Reds have agreed deals for Kolo Toure and Iago Aspas while Seville winger Luis Alberto is in Liverpool to agree personal terms and complete a medical.

Liverpool are also targeting Sporting Lisbon defender Tiago Llori and Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan.