Forget Eli Junior Kroupi, 'fantastic' ace could be on his way to Liverpool instead | OneFootball

Liverpool's attack will be in dire need of reinforcement by the start of the 2026-27 season.

Hugo Ekitike is expected to miss most of the next campaign due to injury, while Mohamed Salah has already exited and question marks still remain over the future of Federico Chiesa.

One thing that the Reds struggled with this term is putting the ball into the back of the net so, the main thing that Liverpool's recruitment team needs to focus on is someone who can hit the ground running instantly.

Indeed, Alexander Isak should be back to full fitness by then but, since Cody Gakpo is likely to be sticking around, the Sweden international needs all the help he can get.

Several players, such as Eli Junior Kroupi have already been linked with an Anfield switch but now, it feels like Liverpool have actually moved a step closer to getting one deal over the line.

Aston Villa are interested in signing Marcus Rashford this summer

On paper, Barcelona's £26 million buy option in their current loan deal with Manchester United feels like a no-brainer for them to activate.

However, since Barca have just acquired the services of Anthony Gordon who suits Hansi Flick's playing style perfectly, doubt has crept into the heads of the La Liga champions.

And, since most of his relationships with the Red Devils have been burnt, it doesn't feel like there's a way back for him at Old Trafford.

This lack of knowing has opened up the door to plenty of speculation with a fresh update from The i Paper sharing a detailed insight into which other clubs are actually looking at signing Rashford if Barcelona don't activate their buy option.

"Currently, there is no panic. Barcelona have until 15 June to enact the option they have to buy Rashford for £26m that was inserted into his loan deal. There are no plans to accept any lower terms currently," they wrote.

"However, sources in Spain indicated Barca simply do not intend to come close to that figure, and will let the deadline pass before revisiting. Gordon’s arrival puts them in a strong position. An offer closer to £15m is more likely, if it even comes at all.

"Part of the reason for United’s confidence in getting a respectable fee for an England international forward is that there are other interested clubs.

"At least three Premier League clubs are understood to be monitoring the situation. One source added Newcastle could turn to Rashford as a replacement for Gordon, even if it does not fit into the overall recruitment policy of the club.

"Aston Villa could also re-sign the forward who spent the last half of the 2024-25 season at Villa Park."

Morgan Rogers could be moved on if Aston Villa sign Marcus Rashford

As The i Paper mentioned, Aston Villa are one of the many teams interested in signing Rashford.

The attacker can be used as a left winger or a striker depending on the system his team is playing.

And, since Unai Emery already has a fair few options in those positions, it could mean that the Spaniard is looking to move on of his players on.

Morgan Rogers is the stand-out candidate of the lot as he's one of Villa's most valuable players and, with the current run of form he's in, he'd be moved on for a hefty fee.

This would help the Villans with their PSR woes and could also provide Liverpool with a perfect replacement for Gakpo.

The Englishman already has plenty of Premier League experience and, if you look at his recent outings, he'd fit straight into Liverpool's starting XI.

Since Rogers has played on the left-wing a lot this term, he could be used there with Gakpo being moved into a central position as a back-up to Isak.

There are obviously many different options that the Reds could explore but, if Villa do end up getting a deal for Rashford over the line, Rogers could easily end up on the move to make ends meet.