Liverpool Transfer News: Robben, Rakitic, Turan And Suarez Discussed In Latest Speculation
Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic has revealed that he will only stay at Sevilla if they show significant ambition in the transfer market, with reports linking him with a move to Liverpool. The 25-year-old had his best campaign yet for the Spanish club this past season, contributing eight goals and 10 assists, and is thought to be a target for Brendan Rodgers as the Reds boss looks to add further creativity to his midfield. While on international duty with Croatia, Rakitic has said that he is happy to remain with Sevilla, but only if they make significant signings to bolster the squad.
“I have a two year contract and I'm very satisfied and happy at the club although it's true that the situation in general is not attractive," he told Sportske Novosti. "The club have asked me to say on, they said they wanted to build a new team around me. I told them that I want to see what they have done in terms of signings. We must build a team which will be better than this season. We will see what happens in the summer."
The signs do not look good that Sevilla will fulfill Rakitic’s ambitions with the club already having sanctioned the sale of Jesus Navas and with leading striker Alvaro Negredo expected to follow. However, those departures could stiffen Sevilla’s resolve to hang onto Rakitic.
Liverpool have long been linked to another creative midfield talent plying his trade in Spain in Atletico Madrid’s Arda Turan. Able to play on either flank or through the middle, the Turkey international has been an important player for Atletico since joining from Galatasaray in 2011.But, although Arda has previously revealed being a Liverpool fan, he has insisted that he has no intentions of departing Diego Simeone’s side this summer.
"I am going to stay with Atletico," Turan said, according to Sky Sports. The fact that Atletico have qualified for the Champions League appears to have had a major bearing on his decision. "I cried for five minutes after the final game of the season because it was like being in another dimension. It was impossible to stop the tears. This team fought with spirit, blood and faith."
There continues to be rampant speculation about the future of Liverpool’s leading light, Luis Suarez. Following revelations from the Uruguayan forward that he wants to leave the club, Real Madrid are thought to be preparing an offer. But, according to the Sun, Bayern Munich are also interested and are prepared to offer winger Arjen Robben to Liverpool to secure their target.
There is an obvious link with Suarez and the treble winners, with the 26-year-old’s agent being the brother of incoming Bayern manager Pep Guardiola. Despite Robben scoring the winning goal in the Champions League final, it is also quite conceivable to see that the often-frustrating Dutchman wouldn’t fit into Guardiola’s ideology. Yet, Rodgers would also surely have doubts about whether Robben, though undeniably talented, would be a good match for his pressing, possession based approach. Another reason to doubt the likelihood of a part-exchange deal is Robben’s probable reluctance to join a team not in the Champions League.
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