Liverpool are planning a move for Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas, according to the Mirror. The Spanish club are perilously close to relegation from the top flight and need two wins from the final two games of the season, in addition to having other results go their way, to escape the drop.

Aspas' release clause is believed to stand at €10m but that will drop by almost a third if relegation is confirmed. Reds' boss Brendan Rodgers believes a cut-price fee for the 25-year-old could be a steal and he may have a point. Aspas has 11 goals and six assists from 32 league starts, which means he has had a hand, directly, in half of his side's goals this campaign.

Iago Aspas (L)
Reuters

A salary of £45,000 per week has reportedly been agreed but Rodgers' former club, Swansea City, have also shown interest and could look to make a second bargain signing from La Liga in as many years, after signing Rayo Vallecano forward Michu last summer.

Meanwhile, Rodgers has already confirmed the Anfield club will add, despite a meagre summer budget, at least two attacking players to the first team. The Northern Irishman has Uruguayan Luis Suarez, England international Daniel Sturridge and young Brazilian Philippe Coutinho as his first choice attacking line but wants cover and reinforcements.

Suarez's situation is particularly uncertain, with the 26-year-old linked to Champions League finalists Bayern Munich. Rodgers has admitted he expects summer bids for the former Ajax star but is insistent he will retain his star player.

Of course, should Liverpool's owners decide to sell the South American, they would expect a fee in the region of £40m for a striker who scored 30 goals, in all competitions, last season and is contracted to the club till 2017. And such a fee could help in revamping the first team.

Bundesliga Chief Slams UEFA

Meanwhile, Bundesliga chief executive Christian Seifert has criticised the present structure of financial rewards for participating in continental competitions. He believes the cycle of increasing monetary payments to clubs playing in Europe makes it difficult for mid-table clubs to challenge the status quo.

"When I grew up one of the greatest teams was Liverpool. I'm not sure if they have the chance ever to win the Premier League again. They have to compete with clubs who have a lot more financial opportunities like Man City and Chelsea plus money that comes from the Champions League," he said.

"If the money of Champions League gets more and the gap gets bigger it's probably not best for national competition. It's something you have in mind when you want balance in the league," he concluded.