There’s been a lot of noise around Adem Ljajic this offseason, and it seems that as the transfer deadline is coming closer, the Fiorentina striker is getting closer and closer to an exit, with Liverpool moving on to chase him after failing in more recent endeavors.
Liverpool aren’t the only club chasing Ljajic, with Galatasaray also on his heels, while Milan and Aston Villa have been mentioned as a potential destination for Ljajic. He had an excellent 2012-2013 season, somewhat of his breakout year in a major European league, scoring 11 goals for Fiorentina as they barely missed out on a place in the Champions League.
Ljajic has already played this season for La Viola in the Europa League, coming in off the bench in the 2-1 win over Grasshoppers. Ljajic hasn’t agreed to extend his contract, which runs out in less than a year. He doesn’t mind staying with the club for another season, but Fiorentina do not want to see him walk for free, and are feeling the urgency to sell him now.
Tuttomercatoweb.com are reporting that Fiorentina’s president, Andrea Della Valle, thinks it’s going to be very difficult to hang on to Ljajic for another season. He might be happy staying on for another year, but Ljajic is eyeing other clubs, and the issue of not getting any compensation for him (he was signed for €8 million from Partizan).
Ljajic is valued at about twice as much, and Liverpool seem to have the money left to spend that much on the right player. Whether he’d prefer them or Champions League football with Galatasaray is still a question, but it’s also about who is going to win the bidding war, which hasn’t been Liverpool’s strong side this summer.
He can play in a few more positions than striker, filling in at left wing or attacking midfielder, but he’s at his best when playing as a forward in a pair of two, which fits Liverpool’s style, but doesn’t make it completely clear he’ll have a guaranteed place in the lineup, assuming Luis Suarez stays on the team.