By analysing various reports from around Europe, and thinking logically, we understand that Lucas Leiva is available and that we are indeed chasing a direct replacement.
And it seems that Turkish giants Beşiktaş might be the frontrunners for his signature. Beşiktaş transfer committee head Erdal Torunoğulları has confirmed that he’s speaking with our Brazilian stalwart about a potential transfer.
“Lucas is a player on our shortlist, talks are ongoing,” he told Turkish outlet Lig TV – explained to us in English by the good people at Turkish Football.
The 28-year-old hasn’t made the match-day squad in either of our opening Premier League victories, despite Joe Allen being unavailable injured, so it’s clear that he’s surplus to Brendan Rodgers’ requirements. Rightly or wrongly.
And we’ve made an offer to Real Madrid for Lucas’s potential replacement Asier Illarramendi, according to Spanish publication MARCA, who published the story in their paper edition this Thursday morning.
They claim, and the story seems strongly sourced and researched – that Liverpool have returned with a £10.6m offer despite having a £14m offer rejected last month. This is because Mateo Kovacic has arrived in Spain, meaning Rafa Benitez must sell the Spanish anchorman, who is clearly not in his first-team plans.
The report claims that Liverpool now believe they have the upper-hand in negotiations, hence the lower bid, but that Illara is not demanding an exit and is calm about the situation. Real Sociedad and Juventus are also keen, reckon MARCA, although they have no economic details of their potential bids.
Illara would be a strong replacement for Lucas, although his arrival would introduce a conundrum for Rodgers. The 25-year-old would seemingly demand first-team football, but with James Milner and Jordan Henderson currently occupying two midfield spots – and Emre Can breathing down their necks for a start as well – there’s no guarantee he gets in the side, as Lucas is cruelly finding out.
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