Liverpool looking to lure Ezequiel Lavezzi

PSG’s Ezeqiuel Lavezzi has emerged as a serious target for Liverpool, with manager Brendan Rodgers said to be preparing an £18m bid for the player.

Currently 10/1 to win the Premier League next season, the Reds sold star striker Luis Suarez earlier in the summer to Barcelona for £75m. This has led Rodgers to make further forays into the market, as he attempt to adequately replace the goals contributed by the Uruguayan last term.

This latest link comes as an £8.5m move for QPR’s Loic Remy collapsed, with rumours that the French striker failed a medical. It is understood French Champions PSG are ready to listen to offers for the Argentinian attacker, who represented his country at the World Cup in Brazil, as La Albicleste lost to Germany in the final.

With the club interested in Lavezzi’s compatriot, Angel di Maria, the 29-year-old could be the one to make way with his employers wary of Financial Fair Play sanctions imposed on them by FIFA. He scored nine goals in 32 Ligue 1 appearances for PSG last season, and has netted seven times in the Champions League since his £24m move from Napoli.

Chelsea are also accredited with an interest, though the Merseyside club are in a position to make a move straight away, and more importantly have space in their squad to accommodate the Argentine. Lavezzi is also versatile, a trait that Rodgers values, being able to play wide, through the middle of an attacking trio. He often found himself on the wing in France, servicing main man Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

It is perhaps quite surprising that the Liverpool boss has identified Lavezzi as a target, with his teammate Edinson Cavani said to be coveting a move to the Premier League. According to reports, he asked his agent to seek “investigate” move to the Premier League earlier in the summer, after being fed up of playing second fiddle to Ibrahimovic.

Young Belgian striker Divock Origi is reportedly close to completing his £10m to the Reds, who are 20/1 to win the Champions League next season.