Liverpool clinched their second signing of the summer this morning with the capture of Burnley striker Danny Ings.
Ings had been out of contract with the Clarets but Liverpool will have to pay compensation for the 22-year-old.
His signing comes just days after James Milner joined on a free transfer, with a spendthrift pattern emerging regarding Liverpool’s transfer policy.
With this in mind we’ve put together a team of free transfers available this summer which could save Brendan Rodgers from blowing millions again.
Neto (Goalkeeper)
The Fiorentina keeper was heavily linked to Liverpool in the January transfer window when Simon Mignolet was struggling for form.
While the Belgian was more consistent in the second half of the season, it would be no surprise if Rodgers signed a keeper to challenge him for the number one spot .
However, the Brazilian Neto is expected to join Juventus as understudy to Gianluigi Buffon leaving Bolton’s free agent Adam Bogdan as a more likely candidate for the Reds.
Dani Alves (Right-Back)
With Glen Johnson on his way out of Anfield, right-back is one area Rodgers must reinforce this summer.
Alves says he has "both feet and a head" out the door at Barcelona but Manchester United, AC Milan or Paris Saint-Germain seem more likely desinations for the Brazilian 32-year-old.
Andrea Ranocchia (Centre-Back)
The Inter Milan captain’s contact expires at the end of this month and, despite rumours that he is poised to extend it, there has been no official confirmation from the club.
The 6ft 5in Italian international would offer an imposing presence and leadership at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, while his aerial ability also makes him a threat at set pieces.
Ron Vlaar (Centre-Back)
The Dutch defender has the option of a contract extension at Aston Villa but his hesitancy in signing suggest he’s off to pastures new this summer.
Despite a forgettable season, he’ll have no shortage of suitors and has been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Southampton.
Marcell Jansen (Left-Back)
The German international was linked with a move to Anfield during Kenny Dalglish’s second tenure and would be an astute acquisition at left-back.
Hamburg have decided not to renew his contract for financial reasons and the 29-year-old will leave the club along with Rafael van der Vaart at the end of June.
Andre Ayew (Left-Wing)
The Ghanaian is set to leave Marseille later this month, and has expressed a preference for a move to the Premier League.
A self-confessed Liverpool fan, the 25-year-old would jump at a move to Merseyside but a deal with West Ham or Galatasary seems more likely.
Sami Khedira (Central Midfield)
The German midfielder is surplus to requirements at Real Madrid and has a host of Europe’s top clubs interested in his signature.
Speculation about a move to England has been persistent, although it looks like the 28-year-old World Cup winner is close to a deal with Juventus.
Nigel de Jong (Central Midfield)
The former Manchester City midfielder will have no shortage of English clubs interested in his signature, with a reunion with former Holland boss Louis van Gaal at Manchester United heavily rumoured.
Despite a last-ditch bid from AC Milan to keep him, de Jong would represent a shrewd signing for Liverpool. On a reported £30,000 per week at Milan and with no transfer fee, his capture would represent little financial risk as a short-term option in midfield.
Yehven Konoplyanka (Right-Wing)
The Dnipro winger is probably the most likely of this lot to end up at Anfield this summer.
The Ukrainian star, ostensibly a left-winger who can also operate on the right, almost joined Liverpool in 2014 but the transfer collapsed at the last minute.
However, Rodgers will need to act quickly as the 25-year-old is currently in advanced talks with Stoke City.
Luiz Adriano (Striker)
The Brazilian striker had a fine season for Shakhtar Donetsk, particularly in the Champions League where he netted five goals in one game against BATE Borisov.
The 28-year-old is a late bloomer and only made his Brazil debut last November, but his scoring feats in Ukraine have sparked the interest of a number of English clubs such as Spurs, Liverpool and Arsenal.
André-Pierre Gignac (Striker)
Liverpool have been linked with the French striker, who has already turned down a move to Dynamo Moscow this summer.
He has also interested West Ham and Newcastle United, while West Brom have reportedly offered the 29-year-old £70,000 per week to sign for Tony Pulis’ side.
Ings had been out of contract with the Clarets but Liverpool will have to pay compensation for the 22-year-old.
His signing comes just days after James Milner joined on a free transfer, with a spendthrift pattern emerging regarding Liverpool’s transfer policy.
With this in mind we’ve put together a team of free transfers available this summer which could save Brendan Rodgers from blowing millions again.
Neto (Goalkeeper)
The Fiorentina keeper was heavily linked to Liverpool in the January transfer window when Simon Mignolet was struggling for form.
While the Belgian was more consistent in the second half of the season, it would be no surprise if Rodgers signed a keeper to challenge him for the number one spot .
However, the Brazilian Neto is expected to join Juventus as understudy to Gianluigi Buffon leaving Bolton’s free agent Adam Bogdan as a more likely candidate for the Reds.
Dani Alves (Right-Back)
With Glen Johnson on his way out of Anfield, right-back is one area Rodgers must reinforce this summer.
Alves says he has "both feet and a head" out the door at Barcelona but Manchester United, AC Milan or Paris Saint-Germain seem more likely desinations for the Brazilian 32-year-old.
Andrea Ranocchia (Centre-Back)
The Inter Milan captain’s contact expires at the end of this month and, despite rumours that he is poised to extend it, there has been no official confirmation from the club.
The 6ft 5in Italian international would offer an imposing presence and leadership at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, while his aerial ability also makes him a threat at set pieces.
Ron Vlaar (Centre-Back)
The Dutch defender has the option of a contract extension at Aston Villa but his hesitancy in signing suggest he’s off to pastures new this summer.
Despite a forgettable season, he’ll have no shortage of suitors and has been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Southampton.
Marcell Jansen (Left-Back)
The German international was linked with a move to Anfield during Kenny Dalglish’s second tenure and would be an astute acquisition at left-back.
Hamburg have decided not to renew his contract for financial reasons and the 29-year-old will leave the club along with Rafael van der Vaart at the end of June.
Andre Ayew (Left-Wing)
The Ghanaian is set to leave Marseille later this month, and has expressed a preference for a move to the Premier League.
A self-confessed Liverpool fan, the 25-year-old would jump at a move to Merseyside but a deal with West Ham or Galatasary seems more likely.
Sami Khedira (Central Midfield)
The German midfielder is surplus to requirements at Real Madrid and has a host of Europe’s top clubs interested in his signature.
Speculation about a move to England has been persistent, although it looks like the 28-year-old World Cup winner is close to a deal with Juventus.
Nigel de Jong (Central Midfield)
The former Manchester City midfielder will have no shortage of English clubs interested in his signature, with a reunion with former Holland boss Louis van Gaal at Manchester United heavily rumoured.
Despite a last-ditch bid from AC Milan to keep him, de Jong would represent a shrewd signing for Liverpool. On a reported £30,000 per week at Milan and with no transfer fee, his capture would represent little financial risk as a short-term option in midfield.
Yehven Konoplyanka (Right-Wing)
The Dnipro winger is probably the most likely of this lot to end up at Anfield this summer.
The Ukrainian star, ostensibly a left-winger who can also operate on the right, almost joined Liverpool in 2014 but the transfer collapsed at the last minute.
However, Rodgers will need to act quickly as the 25-year-old is currently in advanced talks with Stoke City.
Luiz Adriano (Striker)
The Brazilian striker had a fine season for Shakhtar Donetsk, particularly in the Champions League where he netted five goals in one game against BATE Borisov.
The 28-year-old is a late bloomer and only made his Brazil debut last November, but his scoring feats in Ukraine have sparked the interest of a number of English clubs such as Spurs, Liverpool and Arsenal.
André-Pierre Gignac (Striker)
Liverpool have been linked with the French striker, who has already turned down a move to Dynamo Moscow this summer.
He has also interested West Ham and Newcastle United, while West Brom have reportedly offered the 29-year-old £70,000 per week to sign for Tony Pulis’ side.