Reds target Traore nears Anzhi switch
Reports in Russian media indicate that Liverpool target Lacina Traore is close to sealing a switch to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala in the coming days.
By ESPNSTAR.com staff
The tall striker was said to be attracting the interest of the Merseyside club's scouting department following an impressive season where he scored 18 goals in the Russian Premier League. But it appears as if free-spending Anzhi are set to scupper any chances of a deal with a swoop for the Ivory Coast national.
The Kuban Krasnodar forward has been linked with Guus Hiddink's side as with the release of Isah Eliakwu and the loan return of Aleksandr Prudnikov, they are currently lacking in depth for their striking department. Samuel Eto'o currently currently spearheads their frontline and he scored 8 goals from 17 appearances in an injury-plagued first season for the club.
The club confirmed on their website that negotiations are in progress with the player's representatives and the club hierarchy have ruminated over the deal for a number of weeks now.
"Traore's transfer is totally in line with the goals that our club has set this season, achieving the highest possible results in the Russian league as well as in Europe," Anzhi general director Aivaz Kaziakhmedov announced.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are still pursuing Gaston Ramirez from Bologna but the Italian club remain firm over their €20 million valuation of the player. The Reds are unwilling to meet such a large fee following a damning verdict by the American owners over their expensive outlay on players in the previous transfer window.
Bologna sporting director Roberto Zanzi told an Italian news outlet: "To take him, one must begin [the bidding] at €20million."
"At the moment there are two open negotiations for the player that, however, did not satisfy our expectations, neither ours nor his.
"Let's say that in Italy, however, there is one club that has taken concrete moves to get to the player.
"If offers arrive that we deem valid then we will certainly consider them. If not, Gaston will remain with us.
"Our expectations are high because we believe that those who take Ramirez can easily absorb an investment that initially seems onerous. We have come up with a figure and for now nobody has matched it."
Liverpool are rumoured to be interested in securing an additional striker and a midfielder over the summer period with Wigan's Victor Moses and Hoffenheim's Gylfi Sigurdsson being mentioned as prospective signings.