I think that the most important positions for Liverpool to improve on are:
1. Left back- replacement/competition for both Johnson and Enrique (Montoya).
2. Striker- back up for SAS (Mitroglou).
3. Center defensive midfielder- give competition or replace Lucas (Hughes or M'Vila).
Will Hughes
Will Hughes is the one of the most exciting talents in English football right now. The 18 year old English international was linked with a move to Liverpool this summer but a bid never materialized. Hughes plays for Derby County and his manager, Steve McClaren, has admitted that Derby are consigned to losing him and doesn't think he will be with them after the January transfer window. I definitely think that a big English club will sign him soon because this kid will be a future star for England. He has been compared to Steven Gerrard as well as Xavi for his attacking flair and passing precision. He usually plays as an attacking midfielder but can play deeper as well. Because Hughes is young and English, he will command quite a transfer fee which might rise to around 15 million pounds but probably closer to 10 unless there is serious competition for his signature. Steven Gerrard is getting older and is not the marauding attacker he used to be and I believe that Hughes can be his successor. I would've be surprised if he is bought by Liverpool in January and sent back on loan to Derby for the rest of the season.
Probability: 2 out of 5
Martin Montoya
Reports coming out of the media this week say that Liverpool director Ian Ayre who helps in transfers has flown to Barcelona, Spain to hammer out a deal with Barcelona for the transfer of defender Martin Montoya. Since Jose Enrique is out until February of next year and Ali Cissokho not really impressing Rodgers will be looking for a replacement left back, a position that has been a problem of Liverpool's for years. Montoya, a 23 year old Spanish international can play at either left or right back comfortably and is just the kind of player Rodgers is looking for. Montoya, like really any Barcelona player, is good at passing the ball which is Rodger's style of play. At only 23 years old he has a long career ahead of him and it appears that he is looking to leave Barca because he has yet to sign a contract extension past this summer. Whether Liverpool are looking to bring him in now or a pre-contract agreement to bring him over in the summer remains to be seen. If Liverpool are looking to bring him in now they could probably sign him for around 5 million pounds I think. Personally I would love to see Montoya signed and as soon as possible please. Enrique and Johnson are getting a little bit older and seem to be injured half of the time and I don't see Cissokho staying here much longer.
Probability: 3 out of 5
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah is a 21 year old Egyptian who currently plays for FC Basel. He has been quite impressive for his team in the Swiss and especially the Champion's League this season though this is only his second season with them. He has been dubbed the 'Egyptian Messi' for his flair and attacking prowess, though he plays primarily as a wing. He still has a way to go before he can truly live up to a title like that but he is on the right track. He has a few suitors for his signature though it seems that Liverpool is the most likely destination. Brendan Rodgers was seen at the Basel v Schalke CL match and at first it was thought that he went to see Schalke's Draxler though now it seems he was there to see Salah instead. A close friend of Salah's has told Egyptian media sources that he is 99% that a deal will be reached with Liverpool in January. It is being reported that a fee of around 12 million pounds would be enough to sign Salah from Basel, which is a little high if you ask me. This player is still largely untested on the big stage and it is still unclear if he will live up to his potential, the Swiss league is not really the toughest in the world and the Premier League would be quite a jump for him to make. He does fit in with the FSG transfer policy of buying young but I am a bit afraid that he might be Assaidi Mark II. I do think it would be a good buy, if at the right price (max 10 million) in order to provide some depth for Liverpool's paper thin squad, giving competition to the likes of Sterling and Moses.
Probability: 3 out of 5
Fernando
Fernando is a 26 year old Brazilian who has played for FC Porto since 2007 as a center defensive midfielder. He has been nicknamed 'the octopus' due to his ability to stretch out his legs to extreme lengths to intercept passes which he is really good at. Currently Liverpool doesn't really have a good like for like replacement in case of injury or loss of form and Fernando can really give Lucas competition for a starting spot. Liverpool are really in need of better squad players and Fernando can really help them out. Fernando's contract with Porto expires in the summer and then will be available on a Bosman free transfer. He may be looking to sign a pre-contract agreement with a club like Liverpool or Porto might decide to cash in on him in January instead. I don't know a ton about this player, to be honest I haven't really heard or seen much of him but I know he has been a mainstay in Porto's midfield for years now and I believe he has what it takes to make it at a big club and league like Liverpool and the EPL. The transfer market says that Fernando is worth about 17 million euros but he probably would be available for half of that, someone around 10 million euros (like 8 million pounds). Would be a good buy but I think it is pretty unlikely to be honest.
Probability: 1 out of 5
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