The latest transfer news and rumours surrounding Liverpool this Tuesday evening.
Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has asked Galatasaray for one more day to deliberate his future, according to the Turkish club’s director Levent Nazifoğlu.
The club’s English Twitter account quotes Nazifoğlu saying: “We’ve spoken personally with Lucas Leiva. He asked for one more day. The situation will be clearer by tonight.”
The Liverpool Echo reported last week that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was reluctant to sanction a move for the Brazilian until he felt there was sufficient defensive cover within the squad, as Lucas played both in defensive midfield and at centre-back at times last season.
Chievo president Luca Campedelli appears to be retaining an interest in signing Mario Balotelli, the Daily Mirror reports.
Campedelli has said that the club can not afford the wages the Reds outcast commands, as the forward is reported to be paid £80,000 per week.
He said: “Dreaming doesn’t cost anything. At the moment, it does remain a dream because we know that it would be very difficult to pull off such a move.
“We must take into account the obvious difficulties in economic terms, but it is something we are looking at.”
Crystal Palace are set to revive their interest in signing Christian Benteke, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Palace had an initial bid of £25 million turned down for the Belgian forward who is surplus to requirements at Anfield, and they are prepared to pay the forward wages of £120,000 per week and are hoping a deal can be done this week.
The Liverpool Echo have reported that the Reds will not let Benteke leave for any less than £30 million after paying Aston Villa £32.5 million for his services last summer.
Away from transfers, one striker who thinks he is capable of leading the line on a regular basis for the Reds this season is Divock Origi.
Origi shone under Klopp last term, eventually scoring 10 goals in all competitions and has shown glimpses of good form during his involvement in pre-season games.
He told the official Liverpool website: “I’ve always felt I’m a No.9. I can play alone up front and with another striker – even on the wing – but my strongest position is when I play as a No.9.
“The manager knows my qualities very well and he knows how to use me so my main aim is to help the team. Wherever I play I always try to help the team and score goals.”
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