Liverpool lining up move for former Everton star Fernandes
Manuel Fernandes is a target for Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers according to the Mirror after his pursuit of Joe Allen hit a road block.
He is keen to be reunited with Allen, who is currently representing Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics, following their time together at Swansea City and has reportedly made a £12.5million bid.
That offer falls short of the £15m release clause written into the 22-year-old’s contract whilst the South Wales club are said to be unhappy with their former manager after he broke a pledge not to raid the Liberty Stadium after defecting to Merseyside.
With negotiations reportedly now at a standstill Rodgers is ready to turn his attentions to signing Fernandes as continues he preparations for his maiden Premier League campaign at Anfield.
Once regarded as one of the hottest prospects in Europe the 26-year-old has dropped off the radar in recent times but his performances for Besiktas have alerted the Northern Irishman.
The Portugal international is no stranger to the top-flight having taken in two loan spells at the Reds’ bitter rivals Everton in 2007 and 2008 and a stint at Portsmouth in 2006.
It’s believed Fernandes could be sold by the Turkish club this summer and is keen on a return to England where he was once courted by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Having missed out on Gylfi Sigurdsson to Tottenham Hotspur and Allen looking likely to slip through his fingers Rodgers is desperate to boost his options in the engine room.
Clint Dempsey is also on the 39-year-0ld’s radar and is rumoured to be closing in on a move to Liverpool after being left out of Fulham’s pre-season training camp in Switzerland.
The Cottagers are demoing £10m for United States star Dempsey but the new the Kop chief is confident of picking him up at a reduced fee as his contract enters it’s final year.
