da cassino： The use of hindsight often proves to be a wonderfully useless tool to when it comes to the world of modern day football, especially when it involves Brendan Rodgers’ transfer policy at Anfield.
da betsson： Alexandre Lacazette, current Lyon striking sensation and huge hit in Ligue 1 so far this season, could have been sourced by Liverpool before the 2014/15 campaign even begun. The Frenchman may have had his fair share of admirers across the board last summer, but ultimately he was yet the capture the widespread attention of the wider footballing community at that point.
Instead of following through on the now ill-fated £16 million transfer of Mario Balotelli all those months ago, Rodgers perhaps should have been stronger in his convictions when it came to the 23-year-old Lyon striker, turning his club’s apparent interest in the star into something much more meaningful.
As now Alexandre Lacazette will seemingly cost up to a staggering €50 million – if recent reports from Lyon chairman, Jean-Michel Aulas, are to be believed – it looks like the Reds may have simply missed the boat in regards to luring the Frenchman to Anfield this summer.
With further stories indicating that Brendan Rodgers’ hunt for the in-form striker could in-fact continue in the run up to the 2015/16 campaign however, we are left to ask just how much validity this particular transfer story still holds for the Merseyside club, and whether or not Alexandre Lacazette could transform Liverpool’s recent misfortune if it eventually becomes a done deal?
Well, in reference to the latter part of that question, the Anfield faithful really could be on the end of a truly promising transfer should the current Stade de Gerland favourite make the switch to the Premier League next season. The hot-shot no. 20 simply has everything going for him at the minute.
With a grand total of 27 league goals scored so far this campaign, Lacazette has to go down as one of the best young talents currently plying his trade in European football at the moment. Alongside the likes of the already notorious Paul Pogba, soon to be Old Trafford star Memphis Depay, and the recently emerging Palermo sensation Paulo Dybala, the Lyon man will have several options available to him as 2015/16 approaches, with a whole host of top clubs looking to land his signature.
The already capped French international can operate as an out-in-out centre forward, as one of two recognised strikers, or as an attacking wide-man out on the wing. His versatility makes him a truly strong asset, yet it is also through his effective link-up play, quick turn of pace, and clear prowess in the goal-scoring department, that Alexandre Lacazette has done so well recently. His striker’s instinct in the final third really has been a joy to behold throughout 2014/15.
The impressive 23-year-old would therefore represent an amazing signing for the Anfield faithful should Liverpool manage to cough up the bucks for him this summer. In potentially leading the line for the Reds next season, the expected loss of Raheem Sterling would eventually seem nothing more than a small dent in the club’s armour as they strive on to finally land that ever elusive Premier League title.
Lacazette would perhaps even be able to emulate Luis Suarez’ effect on Brendan Rodgers’ side with enough confidence placed in him – and that would truly give the Liverpool fans something to smile about – for both Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli have been far from successful in that particular department this season.
However, whether or not the Merseysiders will have close to €50 million in the kitty to acquire the Frenchman’s services this summer is another matter altogether. The Reds publically splashed out the majority of the Suarez cash on the likes of Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Lazar Markovic last summer – so to expect Liverpool to once again break the bank this time around would seem a tad unrealistic to say the least.
Even if they do manage to source the finances once again though, further question marks remain as to whether or not the club’s lack of Champions League status will put them in a strong enough negotiating position to land Alexandre Lacazette ahead of the new campaign anyway.
If only Brendan Rodgers had seen fit to bring the French sensation to Anfield last season – for now unfortunately – it ultimately seems Liverpool have left it far too late to land his signature, and are more than likely to miss out. Hopefully lessons have begrudgingly been learnt.
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