We all mull through transfer rumours every day, be it reading a newspaper on the train, on the internet first thing in the morning, or a quick gander at Sky Sports News before bedtime. But we all know that the vast majority of them are complete nonsense, dreamed up by some overworked journalist, scared they’re about to get the sack from the Daily Mail.
In truth, transfer rumours are the footballing equivalent of those celebrity magazines, who claim to have the inside scoop on Simon Cowell’s girlfriend’s reaction to Cheryl Cole winking at him on camera, or reveal exclusives such as ‘Kiera Knightley eats cheese’.
And just to prove my point, here’s a list of FIVE January transfer rumours involving Liverpool that simply aren’t worth listening to.
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MARCO REUS
No offence Liverpool fans, but Germany international Marco Reus is a little beyond the Anfield outfit’s reach.
The Borussia Dortmund star’s availability is well-known, with his ridiculously cheap £20million release clause set to come into effect next summer. That’s triggered widespread interest in the two-time Bundesliga Player of the Year throughout Europe, with some clubs – allegedly including Liverpool – looking to beat the pack with a slightly more lucrative offer in January:
Time for a swift dose of reality. The 25 year-old is a sensational talent, just take a look at his prolific form from last season:
But resultantly, the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have been linked with Reus’ signature, clubs that come with virtually guaranteed silverware, so it would have to be some deal for him to prefer an Anfield move.
The attacking midfielder has already rejected Arsenal’s advances, according to Mirror Football, precisely over the issue of trophies. Meanwhile, Liverpool have won just three accolades in the last decade.
IKER CASILLAS
If you think Liverpool would be better off with Iker Casillas between the sticks, or if you think Brendan Rodgers considers him to be a genuine transfer target, then quite frankly, you’ve lost your marbles.
Exhibit A? His woeful performance against the Netherlands at the World Cup:
//www.youtube.com/embed/xn8e0Wdb8qc?rel=0
Exhibit B? Throwing away a draw against Slovakia in a Euro 2016 qualifying match with this absolute howler in stoppage time:
//www.youtube.com/embed/CQVEUYiTuCA?rel=0
Of course, you can’t question the 33 year-old’s experience; he’s won two European Championships, a World Cup, three Champions League titles and five La Liga titles, and is currently the most capped player in Spain’s history.
But if Real Madrid are looking to get rid of a goalkeeper that’s served them so well for the last of 16 years, clearly Casillas is well past his best, which is probably why Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti both preferred Diego Lopez to the Bernabeu icon.
JACKSON MARTINEZ
According to the tabloids, with Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini yet to score a Premier League goal between them this season, Liverpool are poised to make a bid for Porto striker Jackson Martinez:
The Colombian international is certainly talented, netting 72 goals in 106 appearances for the Portuguese side, including twelve in 15 this season. Here’s a clip of Martinez in action:
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But the 28 year-old only agreed new terms at Porto during the offseason, weaving in a new £28million release clause that’s set to come into effect next summer. So if Liverpool were to sign the powerful striker in January, they’d be throwing at least £2million down the drain, not to mention the fact Porto have no obligation to sell a key player that’s now tied down until 2017 halfway through their season.
Secondly and most importantly, everybody appears to have forgotten about Daniel Sturridge. Remember him?The England international with 36 goals in 52 appearances for Liverpool?
The Reds simply don’t need another striker; Brendan Rodgers bought two, at the cost of £20million, during the summer. What they need is Sturridge back in action as soon as possible, which will undoubtedly improve the form of Liverpool’s other front-men too.
Anderson Talisca
Liverpool are just one of the many Premier League sides linked with Benfica sensation Anderson Talisca:
The 20 year-old has been enjoying some sensational form since joining Aguias from Brazilian side Bahia this summer, netting eight goals in nine league outings – including this rather sensational strike:
His €18million release clause is more than affordable too, but there’s one catch, in addition to the prior points raised in regards to Jackson Martinez.
Having only joined the Benfica ranks this summer, the Brazil international has already ruled out a January move to the English top flight:
Meanwhile, the Portuguese champs are planning on bumping Talisca’s release clause up to a whopping €60million, and he won’t actually be allowed to move to the Premier League until he gains a work-permit, which is why Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho couldn’t sign the South American hot shot during the summer.
WINSTON REID
Liverpool won’t be buying West Ham’s Winston Reid in January despite reports otherwise:
The New Zealand skipper’s contract situation – with his current deal set to expire next summer – is certainly an enticing one for potential suitors. But West Ham owner David Sullivan has revealed the defender will decide his fate at the end of the season, depending on whether or not the Hammers qualify for Europe.
But in truth, this could be extended to any centre-half the Reds are linked with ahead of January.
They may not be enjoying the best of form this season, but Brendan Rodgers has invested over £40million in that department over the last two summers, through Mamadou Sakho, Dejan Lovren and Tiago Illori, so splashing out further funds on the heart of Liverpool’s defence would be rather surprising.
Likewise, Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel are only just beginning to gel as a centre-back pairing – throwing Reid into the mix won’t solve anything.
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