Liverpool FC transfers: The Bundesliga beauties to interest Brendan Rodgers
Could the Bundesliga provide Liverpool with the answer in the transfer market this summer?
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BY DAVE POWELL
He took his time but
Emre Can eventually showed that there is cause for optimism for his Anfield future following his move from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.
The need for
Brendan Rodgers to get it right with his recruitment has never been so great and there are potential gems in Germany’s top flight that could help bridge that gap between the Reds and the top four that is threatening to widen.
Here’s five players who could make the difference for Rodgers’ men.
BAS DOST - VFL Wolfsburg
Dutch striker Dost has put teams across Europe on red alert after declaring he wants talks over his future following an excellent campaign in the Bundesliga for Wolfsburg.
The 26-year-old, while not a new kid on the block, had an enviable goalscoring record in the Dutch Eredivisie prior to joining Die Wölfe in 2012, bagging 45 goals in 66 games at SC Heerenveen.
That record proved no fluke as he has made the step up to German football’s top tier with ease and he rattled home 16 goals last season as Dieter Hecking’s side finished a distant second to runaway champions Bayern Munich.
While Dost’s goalscoring exploits in the Netherlands may draw comparison with one Luis Suarez, the Dutch international is a wholly different proposition.
Standing at 6ft 5ins, he has the physical presence to cope with the Premier League and will provide Rodgers with a different option in the final third.
One stumbling block could be that at Wolfsburg, Dost has the carrot of Champions League football at the Volkswagen Arena next season, although he has expressed a fear of being squeezed out of next season’s plans.
Newcastle United, Swansea City and Southampton are all rumoured to be interested in the striker, who is likely to be available for around £8m. A bargain.
Napoli's goalkeeper Mariano Andujar (L) saves a shot by VfL Wolfsburg's Bas Dost (R) during their Europa League quarter-final first leg soccer match in Wolfsburg April 16, 2015. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer Picture Supplied by Action Images
ROBERTO FIRMINO - 1899 Hoffenheim
A raft of Europe’s top sides have been tracking the Brazilian playmaker during the past two seasons after the 23-year-old proved a consistent high performer in the Bundesliga.
Manchester City are one of the clubs believed to be in for the £20m-rated Firmino but with a burgeoning international career to consider he may well decide that regular football is the most important factor in his next move, something that is by no means guaranteed at the Etihad.
But with Firmino’s Brazilian team-mate Phillipe Coutinho’s stellar performances suggesting he could be the incumbent of the number 10 role at Anfield for the foreseeable future, Rodgers may think that he would struggle to accommodate two players of a similar ilk.
A three-pronged attack of Daniel Sturridge, Coutinho and Firmino would be a mouth-watering prospect for Reds fans, but Rodgers could feel it would be money best spent elsewhere.
Roberto Firmino scores the first goal for Brazil
ABDUL RAHMAN BABA - FC Augsburg
Augsburg exceeded all expectation in the Bundesliga last term, finishing fifth and qualifying for the Europa League for the first time in their history, and their success will not have gone unnoticed by Europe’s top scouts.
The form of 20-year-old Ghanaian full-back Rahman Baba was one of the key factors in their successful campaign, with the pacy left back, who has 11 caps for the Black Stars, registering the highest tackle ratio of any Bundesliga player last season during his 31 appearances.
The 2014-2015 season was a breakthrough one for Rahman Baba at the SGL Arena. He arrived at Augsburg after impressing in the Bundesliga 2 with SpVgg Greuther Fürth for the past two seasons and the talented full-back will have a host of suitors this summer, with Chelsea believed to be keeping tabs on the £11m-rated defender.
With Jose Enrique entering the final year of his contract, a move for Rahman Baba would provide the Reds with a plan for the long-term future at left back.
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG - Borussia Dortmund
The 25-year-old Gabon international is one of several Dortmund players who may feel that their future lies elsewhere following the club’s disastrous Bundesliga campaign and the departure of head coach Jürgen Klopp.
After the disappointment of losing out on Memphis Depay, a move for Aubemeyang, who can operate as a winger or striker, may appeal to Rodgers as he looks to address Liverpool’s inadequacies in the final third this summer.
But the former Saint Etienne and AC Milan man has attracted interest from Real Madrid as former Anfield boss Rafa Benitez looks to make his mark at the Bernabeu.
Aubameyang hit 16 goals in 33 games in the Bundesliga and has proven himself a prolific finisher in the German top tier. At around £22m he won’t come cheap but would certainly add potency to Liverpool’s arsenal.
Pierre-Erick Aubameyang
JOEL MATIP - Schalke 04
Liverpool shipped 48 goals last season and although that was not the Achilles Heel of the Reds’ season it is, nevertheless, an area that could be improved upon.
While spending big money on a centre back may not be high on Rodgers’ list of priorities, 6ft 3ins Schalke defender Matip would provide the Reds with the chance to add quality at cut price.
Matip, 23, has been a mainstay at the heart of the Schalke defence for the past five years, clocking up almost 160 Bundesliga appearances and has considerable Champions League experience already.
With his contract due to expire at the end of next season, Matip would be available for around £10m and would provide serious competition for defenders Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure.
Newcastle United are believed to be eyeing Matip as the possible solution to their defensive frailties but a move Anfield would offer him the chance of European football.