Liverpool scouring Europe for potential summer arrivals
Published:FA Cup finalists Liverpool are desperate to improve their Premier League fortunes next season, and as such have begun a European scouting mission.
Swedish midfielder Rasmus Elm initially interested boss Kenny Dalglish, and the Reds are believed to have agreed an £8million fee with AZ Alkmaar to sign the 24-year-old.
Dalglish made a personal trip to Holland over the weekend to run the final rule over the creative midfielder, though was disappointed to see him omitted from the side due to family reasons.
However, it is thought that personal terms were agreed prior to Dalglish’s trip, and Elm will sign a five-year contract with the Merseyside club this summer.
Elswhere in Holland, FC Twente striker Luuk De Jong has also been interesting Dalglish, who is expected to shake up his attacking options at the end of the season, with Dirk Kuyt one of several likely outgoing players.
The reported £12.5million fee that Twente would demand for his services could prove a stumbling block, but the Reds may be tempted to stump up such cash to land a natural goalscorer to partner Luis Suarez up front.
De Jong’s 23 goals from just 29 appearances this campaign indicate his credentials for this role, and at 21 years old, he fits the bill as the kind of player Liverpool are aiming to attract.
Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud represents another option for Dalglish however, who could be set to go head-to-head with Arsenal to land the French international striker.
Dalglish was present at Montpellier’s away win to Toulouse on Friday night, and is not thought to be deterred by Giroud’s missed penalty on that outing.
The Liverpool boss has instead been more impressed by a seasonal average exceeding a goal every two games, and could be willing to meet a reported £13.5million release clause in Giroud’s contract to sign the Frenchman.
