Liverpool FC confident of signing Barcelona's Cristian Tello and Real Madrid's Nuri Sahin on loan
- by Neil Jones, Liverpool Echo
LIVERPOOL FC are hopeful of clinching the signings of Nuri Sahin and Cristian Tello this week as Brendan Rodgers’ summer rebuild at Anfield gathers pace.
The duo would move to Merseyside on season-long loan deals, with Rodgers confident the signings can be clinched before the Reds open their Premier League campaign at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
Liverpool believe they have fended off interest from both Tottenham and Arsenal to sign Real Madrid midfielder Sahin.
The Turkish international has been told he is free to leave the club by Real boss Jose Mourinho and, having spoken to ex-Reds star Xabi Alonso, has informed Rodgers of his desire to move to Merseyside.
Liverpool aim to complete the formalities over the next 48 hours, and could introduce the 23-year-old to his new teammates this weekend.
The deal for Barcelona winger Tello should also go through shortly, with managing director Ian Ayre having flown to Spain to finalise negotiations.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season at Camp Nou last season, making 22 appearances under Pep Guardiola, and scoring seven times.
But with Guardiola having left, Tello has been informed by new Barca boss Tito Vilanova that first-team opportunities will be limited this season.
He was officially listed as a ‘B’ team player when the Catalans announced their squad for the upcoming campaign.
Barcelona are likely to offer a new contract to the Spanish Olympic Games star, but they will be happy to assist the youngster’s development by allowing him to move to Merseyside on loan for the season.
Liverpool believe Tello’s pace, eye for goal and ability to play on either wing make him an ideal addition to a squad short on depth in wide areas.
Rodgers is eager to add depth to a squad that finished eighth last season, and has already signed both Fabio Borini and Joe Allen.
He said: “The reality is the club probably lacked depth last year. We need to make a few signings just to get back those numbers.
“I believe we will do. But they are specific targets we are after and I believe when we get those players in they will make a difference for us.
“Normally with good players, the transfer is complex.
"They are never easy.
“There’s no doubt we have work to do.
"We need to improve the group and we need to get some players in.
“We need to do that sooner rather than later.”
The arrival of Sahin, another central midfield player, in particular, could prompt a reshuffle of Rodgers’ squad.
He has already signed Joe Allen to play in that area, and has Lucas Leiva and Steven Gerrard fit and available, with Jay Spearing in reserve.
Jonjo Shelvey started the Europa League second-leg win over FC Gomel last week, with Jordan Henderson having begun the first leg in Belarus.
They expect to tie defender Martin Skrtel down to a new long-term contract soon, and will press on with plans to commit Daniel Agger to a similar deal, even in light of persistent interest from Manchester City.
