So far in the early stages of the summer transfer window, Liverpool has primarily been a buyer. In fact, if you resort back to the start of this year, Liverpool has spent over $131 million on transfers.
Now, word is getting out about some players possibly leaving Anfield as the the Reds continue to try and reshape a team that finished sixth and missed both the Champions League and Europa League qualifications.
Most of the moving and shaking is taking place in the midfield, where the Reds have brought in the young Jordan Henderson from Sunderland and Charlie Adam from Blackpool. Neither of which appears destined for a bench role, as Adam excelled at a now-relegated Blackpool squad and Henderson was consistent at Sunderland — and no team buys a player for $25 million to have them ride the pine.
To make room for the newcomers, Liverpool is trying to find a home for some excess midfielders, including Alberto Aquilaini. After a year on loan at Juventus, Aquilaini is back in red after the Italian side refused to pay the prearranged fee. On Monday, talkSport radio out of England reported that another Italian club was interested, as Fiorentina are prepared to open up talks.
Take that with a grain of salt, though, as the Metro reported the same day that Aquilaini's representative, Franco Zavaglia, insisted that the Italian would not be heading to Florence.
"His [Aquilaini] future for the time being is at Liverpool. The player will remain there," Zavaglia told the Metro.
It's not exactly a surprise that Liverpool is trying to off-load Aquilaini. He was on loan all of last year, with the intentions of staying there permanently as long as Juventus paid the $22 million. Since Juventus has little intention of keeping him and less of playing him, Aquilaini and his agent better find an exit route if he wants consistent action.
One player who figured to be safe in the midfield was Raul Merieles. After slumping in the first half of the season under Roy Hodgson, Merieles kicked things into another gear once Kenny Dalglish was put in charge. Scoring in five of the first six games under King Kenny, it's surprising to hear that he may have fallen out of favor upon the arrival of Adam and Henderson.
After turning down an initial offer from Juventus for an undetermined sum and make-weight player Felipe Melo, Liverpool has slapped a $21.5 million price tag on Merieles, according to the Daily Mail.
With one eye on the midfield, Dalglish and the decision makers at Anfield are keeping another eye on their left back situation. After an underwhelming year by Paul Konchesky and an injury-riddled season by Fabio Aurelio, a versatile left back is of high priority for Liverpool.
While Aurelio appears to be secure at this time, Knochesky could be on his way out, as he is expected to join Leceister City on a deal worth a little over $2 million, according to the Telegraph.
Still on the search for a suitable replacement, the Reds have had their eyes set on a number of EPL left backs, including former Arsenal defender Gail Clichy (now of Manchester City), Newcastle back Jose Enrique and Everton tackler Leighton Baines. The Toffees have taken a stand to not sell their left back, leaving the Reds to pick off the expensive scraps that is Man City's second and third teams, namely Wayne Bridge.
According to the Metro, Bridge could be available for relatively cheap, mainly because of his high wage rate of $143,000 a week.
Lastly, the Reds aren't just turning their heads toward the sellers market, as they are preparing another bid for Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing. According to the Daily Mirror, the Reds are preparing another bid of just under $30 million, after having a bid of $24 million rejected. Downing fills the other glaring need of Liverpool, a left-footed winger who's able to widen the field and fling in crosses for Andy Carroll to redirect to net.
