Liverpool transfer news: Balotelli finally leaves for free

Liverpool transfer news: Anfield panic over Mario Balotelli

13 April

Remember Mario Balotelli? Liverpool's unloved striker has spent the season on loan at AC Milan but is due back at Anfield at the end of the season - and the prospect is causing panic on Merseyside.

If Liverpool hoped the player would be a hit back in his homeland, they were wrong and the goal-shy forward will be boarding the plane for John Lennon Airport next month after another season of underachievement.

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It is not just the prospect of dealing with Balotelli's temper that is concerning Anfield chiefs, it is the fact they will take full responsibility for paying his wages, most of which have been covered by Milan this season.

"Liverpool have started to identify potential suitors for Mario Balotelli as they fear being stuck with his £4.5million-per-season wages," says the Daily Mail. "However, finding suitors for the forward could be easier said than done given his tarnished reputation." Balotelli's reputation plus a return of eight goals in two seasons "is likely to put clubs off", it adds.

So desperate are Liverpool to be rid of the Italian that they are considering drawing up a severance package to release the 25-year-old, who could join the exodus to China.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's pursuit of Mario Gotze may have hit a stumbling block. The Daily Mirror reports that Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge "insists plans have not been made" for him to leave the club.

"Rummenigge recently said he would hold talks with Gotze at the end of the season but now appears to have changed his stance," says the paper, and that could mean the player being forced to see out his contract in Germany, which expires in 2017.

But could the Reds have identified a replacement? The Guardian reports that Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud has emerged as a transfer target for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, although he will face competition from his former club and Europa League rivals Borussia Dortmund.

"Dahoud, a Germany under-21 international of Syrian descent, has enjoyed an outstanding season with Monchengladbach, who would be reluctant to sell both the youngster and [Arsenal target Granit] Xhaka but may relent should a bidding war lead to offers of around €30m for the former."

Liverpool transfer news: On loan Polish star confirms talks

12 April

The Reds have got a lot on their minds right now, what with Thursday's crucial Europa League quarter-final clash with Borussia Dortmund, but that hasn't stopped them planning for next season, and according to website Caughtoffside they are circling Polish midfielder Piotr Zielinski.

The 21-year-old, who is catching the eye this season on loan to Italian outfit Empoli, appeared to confirm the rumours this week.

In an interview with Poland's Sportowe Fakty, Zielinski was asked about the stories suggesting he might leave Udinese - his parent club - for Anfield in the summer. "There is a lot of truth in rumours about Liverpool," he replied with refreshing honesty. "Jurgen Klopp is interested in me, we had some talks."

Though he wouldn't be drawn on the outcome of the talks, Zielinski did drop a hint that his future certainly doesn't lie with his current club, declaring: "I've still got few games to play for Empoli and after that there is still Euro 2016 in France."

Meanwhile in Spain there are reports that the Reds are poised to make a play for Dutch forward Vincent Janssen. What it's got to do with the Spanish press, Metro doesn't say, other than to pass on news carried by Don Balon that Liverpool "are looking to snap up the £9.6m-rated Janssen at the end of the season".

The 21-year-old striker has scored 22 times for Dutch club AZ this season and Klopp is determined to sign Janssen before other interested parties - including Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain - have the chance.

Liverpool transfer news: Coutinho to Barcelona saga begins

07 April

With Barcelona's squad showing signs of fatigue at the business end of the season, have the Spanish giants started planning a strengthening programme this summer? Talksport thinks so with the broadcaster reporting that Barca are "eyeing an audacious swoop for Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho".

The rumour spells bad news for Liverpool and has the potential to become one of the year's biggest transfer sagas. The Brazilian has been one of the standout players for the Reds this season and though manager Jurgen Klopp is anxious to hold on to his playmaker he might not be able to retain Coutinho if the Catalan club come calling.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Barca "have been scouting" the South American with Nou Camp gaffer Luis Enrique regarding him as a superior alternative to the underperforming Turkish international Arda Turan.

Talksport says Liverpool "will reject any approach" although that's before they've seen the size of Barcelona's offer, and as Liverpool and their Premier League rivals Arsenal can testify, Barca usually get their man.

Meanwhile the side Barcelona beat in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final clash, Atletico Madrid, are "ready to spend £37m to sign" Christian Benteke.

According to the Daily Express, passing on information that appeared in Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Atletico are keen to land the Belgian striker who has failed to impress Klopp this season.

It is claimed Atletico "are seeking Qatari investment" to help in their pursuit of the 24-year-old Benteke, and they are quietly confident they'll raise the £37m required to satisfy Liverpool.

Liverpool transfer news: Sinclair stalemate with Watford

5 April

Liverpool youngster Jerome Sinclair may have to stay put at Anfield as negotiations over a possible move to Watford have hit a financial buffer.

The Daily Star reports that the 19-year-old striker wants out of Anfield because of a lack of regular game-time and, with his contract running out in June, it had been claimed he had "already signed a pre-contract agreement with Watford" after Liverpool rejected a £1.75m offer for his services in January.

But things are not that simple for Watford. Because Sinclair is under 24, the Star points out they would have to pay compensation to Liverpool. The Hornets are not keen on going to a tribunal, as they could end up paying more than they originally offered at the start of the year.

Watford's attempts to resolve the issue have so far failed and with "the Reds prepared to go to a tribunal if necessary" it looks the impasse will scupper the teenager's move south.

Meanwhile the Daily Express says that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is "keen on signing Real Madrid winger Lucas Vazquez". The Spanish star, who spent last season on loan at Espanyol, has been given the once over by the Reds scouts and Italian rag Corriere Dello Sport claims that the 24-year-old winger is on the brink of moving to Anfield in a £10m deal.

Liverpool transfer news: Barcelona consider Ter Stegen loan

30 March

Liverpool's search for a new goalkeeper could be coming to fruition, with reports that Barcelona are warming to the idea of releasing Marc-Andre ter Stegen - but only on loan.

According to Talksport, the European champions are seriously considering allowing the German goalkeeper to leave the Camp Nou in the summer. The news will cheer Liverpool, who, along with Manchester City, have been heavily linked to the 23-year-old shotstopper.

Jurgen Klopp is looking to give Luis Alberto and Tiago Ilori the chop as he clears the dead wood from his squad ahead of his rebuilding programme. So says Metro, which claims the German boss wants to free up space for new arrivals in the summer.

The 23-year-old Alberto has made just nine appearances in the midfield this season, while Ilori has failed to feature in the Premier League at all, after being recalled from a loan spell with Aston Villa at the height of the Reds' injury crisis.

Not surprisingly, Klopp sees the pair taking up valuable space in the dressing room and according to Metro, he's ready to offload them to Deportivo La Coruna. The Spanish outfit are "keen" and Alberto has already enjoyed a loan spell with Deportivo. He joined the Reds for £7m in 2013 and it's believed Liverpool would expect a similar sum for his services.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's hopes of landing Lucas Biglia have taken a blow after the defensive midfielder told Italian rag Il Messaggero he is happy at Lazio. Linked with a £25m move to Anfield in the summer, Biglia was asked where future lay. "I'm doing really well here, I'm not thinking about leaving," he said.

Liverpool transfer news: Mario Gotze set for Anfield switch

29 March

Germany could be losing more than just a friendly international to England, if a report in the Daily Mirror is anything to go by. The paper says that two of its clubs are set to be stripped of their star assets by Liverpool, with manager Jurgen Klopp "closing in on a German double that will bring a world-class talent to Anfield".

The duo in question, Bayern Munich star Mario Gotze and Cologne left-back Jonas Hector, have both been scouted by the Reds and the Mirror says the English club are in "pole position" to beat off competition from a host of suitors this summer.

Gotze has allegedly "fallen out of love with Bayern" and the 23-year-old winger is said to be ready to move to Liverpool to work under Klopp, a coach he knows well from their time at Dortmund.

It's said that he is refusing to extend his contract, which expires at the end of next season, and with that in mind, Bayern are poised to "cash in this summer" by selling him for a sum in the region of £30m.

Hector was linked to Arsenal earlier in the month but after Liverpool scouts watched him in action last week, an offer is set to be tabled to Cologne at the end of the season.

Over in France, the Reds are poised to outmuscle Manchester United in the tussle to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Lucas Moura. Metro says the Old Trafford club have had their eye on the Brazilian winger for a while, but Klopp is determined to bag him, regarding the player as a vital brick in his rebuilding plans for the club.

Metro says Klopp will shortly "make an offer" and is confident the French champions will sell.

Meanwhile, the Liverpool Echo reports that Empoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski "has his sights set on a move to Liverpool" and has hinted that a deal is in the pipeline.

The 21-year-old Polish international is on loan to the Italian outfit from parent club Udinese and they are said to be eager "to profit from his upturn in form this season".

Asked by Polish website Futbolfejs.pl, to account for the stories linking him to Liverpool, Zielinski replied: "Some people say these are just the rumours. I know a little bit more about it but until now, I just try to play as best as I can in Empoli to have a possible chance in June for such a big transfer move."

Liverpool transfer news: Klopp plots £40m raid for Arsenal stars

26 March

Liverpool are plotting what the Daily Mirror calls a "sensational" £40m raid on Arsenal this summer, targeting winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

The pair have slipped down the pecking order at the Emirates and with both players about to enter the final two years of their contracts, website Football Insider says the Gunners could decide to cash in.

Liverpool are one of several sides keeping tabs on 22-year-old midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain and Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is also in the market for a new goalkeeper.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger "retains full faith" in Oxlade-Chamberlain says Football Insider. However, the England star, who is still not a first-team regular at the Emirates, is seeking "a 200 per cent pay rise on his current £52,000-a-week wages" and the Gunners may be unwilling meet his demands.

The midfielder, currently recovering from a knee injury, has failed to progress at Arsenal and remains on the fringes of the first team.

"Oxlade-Chamberlain did not score a single Premier League goal in 2015 and in 33 matches in all competitions this season, he has scored just two goals and supplied two assists, a poor return for a player who predominantly plays on the flanks," says the website.

Meanwhile, Szczesny has spent the season in Italy on loan to Roma, after losing his number one status to Petr Cech and Wenger preferring to keep David Ospina as understudy.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is valued at £30m and Szczesny at £10m, meaning Liverpool could land the pair for £40m.

Another reason for the interest in Oxlade-Chamberlain could be his potential as an alternative to Belgian forward Dennis Praet. Liverpool were interested in signing the 21-year-old Anderlecht star in January, but chose to keep their powder dry. However, they now face competition from Spanish side Sevilla reports the Mirror.