Rumour: Liverpool eyeing Roma's Radja Nainggolan

Radja Nainggolan

Liverpool have a turned a keen eye on Roma star Radja Nainggolan in a bid to revitalise their midfield, according to reports coming out from Italy.

According to the report, Liverpool are all sent to pounce upon the uncertainty that currently exist because of the co-ownership of the player between Roma and Cagliari. The combative midfielder joined the Giallorossi last January on loan from Cagliari and has become one of the most vital cogs in Rudi Garcia’s side in his short spell at the club.

It is thought that Roma had planned to resolve the midfielder’s ownership situation by the summer of 2015. However, according to the reports Liverpool have joined in the fray and as Rodgers is said to have become an admirer of the midfielder who has been likened to Juventus’ Arturo Vidal.

Liverpool are said to be ready to cough up €15 million to bring the player to Merseyside, whilst also handing him a €2.8 million per season contract, which will nearly double his current pay at the Italian capital.

Brendan Rodgers has failed to capture the imagination of the Kop after last season saw the Reds play some scintillating football as they finished runners-up. The absence of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, due to very different reasons and the non-start to Mario Balotelli’s Anfield career has further handicapped the Irishman who now seeks to re-enforce the squad with some quality additions this January.

The midfield has looked equally bereft of ideas going forward and with Steven Gerrard nearing the dusk of his career, the middle of the park is one area Rodgers seem to be keen on improving.

However, many in Italy believe that the introduction of Liverpool’s name in the admirer’s list for the Belgian is just another ploy of Cagliari to extract more from Roma, with the Giallorossi currently being asked to pay €10million for Nainggolan’s remaining 50 per cent share.