Brendan Rodgers is close to adding Swansea’s midfielder Joe Allen for a fee of £11 million pounds and negotiations are also continuing with Fulham to secure Clint Dempsey for upwards of £5 million maybe rising to almost £10 million for the 30-year-old midfielder.
Rodgers has already lodged an enquiry with the Swans over Allen but was told by his replacement Michel Laudrup that the player would be staying in Wales this summer – unless a huge offer was put on the table.
That appeared to be the end of the Reds’ interest, but Rodgers returned over the weekend, and has now asked Laudrup to name his price.
Talented playmaker Allen, who will represent Team GB at the Olympics, is regarded as one of the best passing midfielders in the Premier League, with Rodgers feeling that he could be the long-term replacement for the ageing Steve Gerrard.
However, tearing Allen away from his boyhood club is not likely to be an easy feat, with Swansea likely to ask in excess of £11 million.
Allen is aware of Liverpool’s interest and has asked Swansea not to deny him the opportunity to move to Merseyside.
Although there was an agreement between Liverpool and the Welsh side not to pursue those players who flourished under Rodgers, ultimately it is the player’s decision.
Allen wants Swansea to negotiate a fee with the Merseyside club because he is keen to re-unite with Rodgers, who will make him a key component of his Liverpool midfield alongside Steven Gerrard and Lucas.
This could mean the end of Charlie Adam’s career at Anfield with the Scotsman deemed to be to slow for Rodgers new system.