STEVEN GERRARD has confirmed his interest in striker Umar Sadiq as the Roma youngster edges closer to a switch to Ibrox.
The Light Blues boss has added seven players to his squad already this summer as he prepares for the Europa League qualifiers and new Premiership campaign.
Gerrard brushed off rumours of moves for a number of players, including Liverpool kid Ben Woodburn, at the Gers’ training camp in Spain as he refused to be drawn on ‘speculation’.
And he killed off suggestions he could make a bid for former Anfield team-mate Lucas Leiva due to the Brazilian’s wage demands after a successful season with Lazio.
But the 38-year-old was more enthusiastic about the prospect of doing another deal from Serie A as he looks to bring Sadiq to Ibrox.
Gerrard said: “We’re a fan of Umar Sadiq but there is nothing to report on that yet in terms of progress but we do like the player.
“We’ll have to see how that one materialises. He’d bring us a forward option - height, power, presence. He’s a player that works too hard believe it or not.
“He does tons and tons of running. He’s very enthusiastic. He’s the type of player who gives you just as much out of possession as he does in possession which is very important.
“We’ve got an interest but at the moment he’s still a Roma player. It’s ongoing. We have to be respectful and see how it progresses but he’s someone we like.”
Gerrard has been credited with an interest in dozens of players over the summer as he looks to add strength and depth to his Gers ranks.
The Ibrox boss has yet to bring a striker on board, however, and he is eager to address that area of the pitch sooner rather than later.
Gerrard said: “Brandon Barker is speculation. There’s not enough room for all the wingers we’ve been linked with. Kent, Wilson, Barker, Jones... I don’t know how I’d fit them all in.
“I’m a fan of all the names and speculation but that’s all it is just now. Dominic Solanke? Speculation.
“All I will say is that we need more options in the forward areas.
“The priority initially was in the defensive areas. We needed bodies in the centre of defence and needed to give support in the full back areas
“We’re close to being there defensively. When I took over we were heavy in the midfield areas so unless we can get someone in who will be better than what’s here then we’re not in a mad rush to add, certainly in the central area.
“It’s a similar situation in the wide areas as it was in the full back where we’ve got two very strong options and a couple of young kids.
“We’ve got to be very careful how we progress the kids and give them game time. If the right person becomes available in the wide areas then we’ll try and add but we’ve not got one name that we’re chasing.
“There’s a group of names we’re monitoring and assessing and in the forward areas. I’ve tried to go from back to front. That doesn’t mean I have to do a midfielder before a forward but defence was definitely priority.”
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