Greece is the word: Liverpool prepare £15m bid for Kyriakos Papadopoulos of Schalke to replace Carragher
Greece is the word: Liverpool prepare £15m bid for Kyriakos Papadopoulos of Schalke to replace Carragher
The 21-year-old Greek international centre-back has also been checked out by Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid
Cashback! Papadopoulos' replica shirts would be a money-spinner
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Brendan Rodgers is hoping to start his crucial summer of spending with a bang by snapping up a long-term replacement for Jamie Carragher.
Liverpool
manager Rodgers has targeted highly-rated Greece international
Kyriakos Papadopoulos, and will table a firm £13.5million offer for the
centre-half.
At just 21, Papadopoulos has the right age profile
for a big Anfield signing but already has vast experience, having become
the youngest-ever player in the Greek league at the age of 15 and won
14 caps.
His performances with Olympiacos earned him a move to
Schalke, and he helped the Germans reach the later stages of the
Champions League before turning down a £16m move to Russia's Zenit St
Petersburg.
Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City have all
monitored his progress in the Bundesliga, but Liverpool have been in
contact with the player's father and believe he would choose Anfield. No pressure! Liverpool need a defender to step into Carragher's shoes
Julian Finney
The Reds will first need a medical thumbs-up on a knee
problem that kept him out for the second half of the season, but are
expected to make a formal approach within the next week.
Rodgers also wants £7m-rated right-back Sam Byram from Championship side Leeds.
The
Yorkshire club have resigned themselves to losing the talented
19-year-old - also a target for Everton - and have already lined up
Manchester City starlet Reese Wabara as a replacement. Rodgers has also targeted Man City centre-back Kolo Toure on a free transfer to provide experienced cover, and he is still looking at adding a third defender.
Sporting Lisbon's English-born Portugal youth international Tiago Ilori, 20, is on the radar at £1m.
Busy Rodgers has also sounded out several goalkeepers to ensure he is not caught short if Pepe Reina is lured back to former club Barcelona.
Rodgers has long been an admirer of Swansea's Michel Vorm, and has also consistently watched French side Ajaccio's Mexico international Guillermo Ochoa. Mexican rave: Guillermo Ochoa is a potential Reina replacement
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Stoke's Asmir Begovic is very definitely on the radar, if he
is available for the £10m Barcelona are reported ready to offer the
Potters.
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