Liverpool linked with a raid in to Russia for big centre forward

Liverpool’s summer transfer business will begin in earnest with the signing of Ivorian striker Lacina Traore from Russian club Kuban Krasnodar according to reports in Spain, with €8m said to be the transfer fee for the 22 year old. Traore has been reportedly scouted by the Reds, with new manager Brendan Rodgers following the player from his Swansea days. The youngster only signed for Kuban last year and still has four years left on his deal.

The transfer link is indeed an intriguing one as Liverpool already possess an extremely tall striker in Andy Carroll, hence questioning Brendan Rodgers’ pursuit of the 6’8 Ivorian. He does have some experience at the highest level as he enjoyed Champions league football during his three year stint at Romanian club CFR Cluj and even scored against Roma and Basel in 2010.

A move to the Premier League will only enhance the player’s standing in the International game, where he is yet to make an appearance for the Ivory Coast National team. With Didier Drogba reaching the tail-end of his career, Traore could step up to the plate in the coming years, both for Ivory Coast and in the Premier League.