Liverpool will be forced to pay a club record 37 million if they wish to sign Roma star Miralem Pjanic, according to Adrian Kajumba of the Mirror.Kajumba suggests Brendan Rodgers has "held talks" with Walter Sabatini, director of football at the Italian club. Pjanic has reportedly been "earmarked" as a replacement for the outgoing Steven Gerrard, who heads to MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season.Pjanic is said to be one of Rodgers' three Rome-based targets, with his team-matesRadja Nainggolan and Adem Ljajic also reportedly on the Northern Irishman's wish list.However, if Roma do demand such a hefty fee for Pjanicousting the once 35 million-rated Andy Carroll as Liverpool's costliest ever dealit's questionable whether Rodgers will be able to drop another massive sum on one individual.Pjanic is currently working through a productive season in the centre of Rudi Garcia's midfield. The Bosnian has scored three and set up five, offering his combative side with a total of six yellow cards in 21 appearances, per WhoScored.com. Although not the sharpest tackler, he is extremely smart in possession and has the natural craft to help fill Gerrard's shoes.He is a worker, a hassler, someone who can break forward with an incisive dribble or cover the width of the pitch with constant pressure. Rodgers loves multi-functional players who he can mould to his positive, high-tempo way of playing. Pjanic averages a pass accuracy of 91.2 percent this season, per WhoScored.com, and he can keep things moving in the middle.His qualities are highlighted below:If Liverpool secure a costly deal with Roma, however, it's worth noting Kajumbastates wages of 160,000 per week will be needed to convince the player. Let's not forget Garcia previously suggested only a "three-figure sum" would see Kevin Strootman leave the clubasreported byBruce Archerof theDaily Stara big claim until money is put on the table.Rodgers is reportedly also weighing up a move for Barcelona's Pedro, a player who has fallen by the wayside since Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez formed a prolific triple-threat at the Camp Nou. Pedro has made just 16 starts in all competitions this season, per WhoScored, and he is beginning to grow frustrated.He spoke to Spanish newspaper Sport (h/t James Whaling of the Mirror):The truth is that it's complicated for those of us who play less. But when I go out [to play], I always give it all, the of me.It's my way of being; I never give up. You have to thing make things complicated for the coach when it comes to choosing the starting players.Pedro would slot straight into Rodgers' transitional 3-4-2-1 formation and could rejuvenate his career with a Premier League switch. B/R UK's Alex Dimond believes Liverpool should have moved to improve the squad in January, however, and he could regret not signing a player of this ilk sooner:Rodgers' side are on an impressive run of form, losing just two of their last 22 matches in all competitions. The boss is always looking for minor tweaks and changes that can improve his side's chances of success further.Both Pjanic and Pedro could provide vital squad improvements, particularly if Liverpool qualify for next season's Champions League.
Click here to read full news..
