Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Alvaro Negredo and Adama Traore Rumours

Alvaro Negredo has quashed rumours of a potential switch to Liverpool, declaring he is focused on being a success at current club Valencia. 

James Phillips of the Daily Star says reports in Spain had linked the former Manchester City striker with a return to the northwest of England, as manager Brendan Rodgers looks to recruit after the sale of Rickie Lambert to West Brom. 

However, the 29-year-old Spaniard has spoken out about rumours linking him with yet another transfer move, strongly pointing out to reporters, per Luke Augustus of the Daily Mail:

    "My plan is to stay. I'm here to show my face in public and put an end to everything that's being said, most of which isn't true, that I've been missing, whether I'm being professional—I've been training with a fever for two days and it's no laughing matter. I'm here to show my face publicly and to say that I'm happy and at ease at Valencia.

    My plan is to stay and nobody has said I'm not in their plans. I'm here to keep working and nothing more. At the end of the day the club decides and they choose who they want and who they don't. But nobody has said to me they don't want me. I'm really happy and relaxed and I want to give Valencia the best of myself. They've just exercised the purchase option and it would be strange, but in football anything can happen."

Negredo joined the Mestalla club for £20 million from City after his time at the Etihad came to an abrupt end. 

He made 24 Premier League and European starts in his season with the Sky Blues in 2013-14, per WhoScored.com, scoring 14 times. However, the Spaniard found himself on the bench toward the latter part of his tenure as his form evaporated. 

Negredo's comments should put to bed any rumours of a move back to England, but his "anything can happen" quote might keep Liverpool interested as they weigh up their options.

Former Liverpool player Jamie Redknapp previously complimented Negredo, per Adam Crafton of the Daily Mail, saying: "Negredo looks like a caveman but plays like an artist, he can create his design with a sledgehammer, or a paint brush."

Crafton also reported Negredo's thoughts on his time in England, quoting the player declaring he enjoyed the experience in Manchester and "was not homesick."

Rodgers will need to assess his forward stock in the coming days as he tries to balance his attack with his dynamic midfield. Negredo is a classic No. 9—something Liverpool lacks—and his physical presence would be useful in the Premier League.

It had seemed Liverpool were set to swoop for Barcelona kid Adama Traore before the end of the transfer window, but Southampton have entered the race to bring his talent to England.

Mundo Deportivo (h/t Phillips) report the Saints want the 19-year-old to move to St. Mary's, where his chances of regular first-team football will be immediate.

This is a factor that is very important to the player, who has spent his short career in Barca's reserve set-up.

A Liverpool delegation were reportedly on the their way to the Camp Nou to seal a switch for the player, per Phillips, but it seems Southampton may have stolen a march. 

Negredo and Traore would both be useful additions for Rodgers, but they are not the quality signings which get Liverpool fans excited.

Negredo started his time in England in impressive form—but his lack of diversity saw Premier League defences work him out quickly. 

Traore is a prodigious talent, and might be viewed as a replacement for Raheem Sterling in the wider positions, but the teenager is unproven at the top level.

A move to Southampton would be more suitable for the winger, given the Saints' exemplary record in developing youth talent.