Whilst Liverpool have yet to exactly spring to life in the transfer market, the signs are there that Brendan Rodgers and co are trying to make things happen. They’re hot on the trail of Swansea City’s mercurial midfielder Joe Allen and Bologna’s Uruguayan ace Gaston Ramirez. These two additions will make Liverpool better creatively, but my feeling is that they need another player to help finish these chances. Somebody to line up alongside the likes of Andy Carroll, Fabio Borini and Luis Suarez and help the Reds ditch their reputation for squandering goal scoring opportunities.
It’s a little strange, then that they keep getting linked to attacking midfielders. The latest of which, according to The Metro, is Benfica’s Nicolas Gaitan. The 24-year-old is extremely well thought of in Portugal (and Argentina, his birthplace, where he’s earned strained comparisons to Juan Roman Riquelme). He’s certainly talented, can spray the ball about with ease and has the creativity to make things happen. He’s a little like Joe Allen, although he’s perhaps a little more dynamic.
This dynamism often comes with a price. Whilst Allen keeps it short and simple where possible, Gaitan is always looking to force the play. The result can often be giving the ball away. On the other hand, his forward-thinking play often reaps its rewards. He picked up 15 assists in 44 Benfica appearances last season. That’s an impressive return.
He’s believed to have a £35m release clause, but Liverpool certainly won’t want to fork out this much for him. He’s not Riquelme. But he is a very talented player. The Metro claim that Liverpool are ready and willing to pay £14m for him and that sounds about right. He’s the kind of player that can have a big impact on Liverpool’s season next year. He can force the play and this often comes with a fairly high price-tag.
For me, Gaitan would make a great alternative for the Reds should their move for Joe Allen fall through. Whilst most fans have their fingers crossed that they finalise the move, until everything’s done and dusted, it makes sense that Rodgers should seek to line up a few alternatives.
He wouldn’t be my first choice, but I still believe he’d represent a decent signing.
What’s your take? Would you take Gaitan at Anfield?
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He’s good, but the way our current squad is, I’d say we need to bring in first choice targets in this transfer window. We have some very good players in our starting XI (Reina, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Gerrard, Lucas and Suarez for example), and we need to bring in players of similar quality (or on the verge of achieving their potential like Borini) for us to compete, regain some respect and keep hold of the talent we already have.
agree…gaston ramirez that is!!
Liverpool should sign another out and out striker. That should be there priority.
‘This dynamism often comes with a price. Whilst Allen keeps it short and simple where possible, Gaitan is always looking to force the play. The result can often be giving the ball away. On the other hand, his forward-thinking play often reaps its rewards’
If you knew anything about Rogers style of play you would realise he is not intersted in risk takers or people who giev the ball away. Possession is the key to his philosphy and he would not like any player who gives it away apparently so freely!
But I admit I dont know to much about this player, only seen handful of appearances but if he is half the player Riquelme was (also not one known for giving the ball away!) he might be worth a bid!
Rogers looks firmly set on Allen & Dempsey – both bog-standard EPL players for whom we’ll be overcharged and who will do little to improve our status. Ramirez or Gaitan, and Sissoko are game-changers who will not break the bank, will have good sell-on value, and could take us near the top 4. We must not keep on repeating the mistakes of the past!
Players on the verge of quality are gaston Ramirez and Nicholas gaitan! Also, ander Herrera, iker muniain, James Rodriguez to name 3 more.. Would be great to swap Charlie Adam, downing, cole and aqualani for ramirez, gaitan, Herrera/Allen and a mobile, skilful striker like muniain who can play left forward position too