Liverpool Transfer Focus - Borini signs in quest for goals at Anfield
Fabio Borini has sealed his move to Liverpool from Roma, according to several national newspapers including theMirror. The highly-rated young Italian striker has become Brendan Rodgers’ first signing at Anfield with the fee thought to be in the region of £12m. The Reds’ boss knows Borini well from his time coaching the forward at Chelsea, while Rodgers also worked with the 21-year-old starlet in Swansea’s promotion season.
The Merseysiders struggled in front of goal last term, with Kenny Dalglish’s side managing to find the net on just 47 occasions throughout the Premier League campaign. Therefore, finding a capable forward was always a priority and Borini, who was part of the Italy squad that reached the Euro 2012 final, will be expected to ease the burden on Uruguayan favourite Luis Suarez. Borini scored an impressive nine Serie A goals in 24 appearances for Roma last season.
The Italian's arrival could mean the beginning of the end for Andy Carroll’s Liverpool career. The towering centre-forward arrived at Anfield for a staggering £35m fee just 18 months ago and, despite an encouraging end to the 2011-12 season which culminated with a place in England’s Euro 2012 squad, there have been suggestions that Rodgers would be willing to loan out or even sell the former Newcastle striker. AC Milan have been mooted by the Independent as possible suitors for Carroll and rumours of this potentially fascinating switch will undoubtedly be fuelled by Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s reported departure from the Italian giants. Newly-promoted Premier League outfit West Ham, managed by Sam Allardyce, are also interested in acquiring the services of Carroll.
Meanwhile, it appears likely that Rodgers will sign a winger this summer. Dirk Kuyt has already left Liverpool for Turkey, while Craig Bellamy has been linked with a move back to Cardiff. Maxi Rodriguez has also been tipped to return to Argentina, and while the Reds’ boss is determined to try and keep hold of the South American midfielder, his departure would leave the Anfield outfit short of wide-men. The exciting 17-year-old Englishman Raheem Sterling could be given more opportunities to shine next term particularly given Rodgers’ previous interest in taking him to Swansea on loan last season, but his promotion would still leave the Reds limited in that position. Bologna’s Gaston Ramirez is reportedly on Liverpool’s radar.
Another rumour which has picked up pace of late is that linking American midfielder Clint Dempsey with a move to Merseyside, as reported by the Guardian. The Fulham star was in stunning form last season, where he managed to score 17 Premier League goals for the Cottagers. Dempsey is another player who could help Liverpool improve their tally in front of goal, but it remains to be seen whether the Reds’ interest in him is genuine and if so, how much they would be willing to offer for him.
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