Sunday Papers: Rumour Mongering

As we lurch inexorably towards the hellish morass of confusion and potential disappointment that is the Summer Transfer Window, it is perhaps inevitable that Liverpool Football Club is at the very epicentre of the transfer tumult. Bear with us then, as we take a tour of a selection of the stories found in this morning's papers, concerning potential comings and goings at Anfield.

The Mirror are very LFC-centric today. The first of their stories concerns a Stoke City move for Jonjo Shelvey. With Charlie Adam rumoured to be leaving the Britannia, it would appear Tony Pulis is considering Liverpool's shiny-headed midfielder as a replacement, having reputedly sent scouts to see him in last week's U21 match.

Chris Bascombe in the Telegraph is predicting an exit for Martin Skrtel, with Zenit St. Petersburg the most likely destination. The story quotes the Slovakian's expression of displeasure about being demoted from the first team, in which he would appear to suggest that Rodgers has been less than straight with him.

Several sources are suggesting Swansea captain Ashley Williams as the most likely recruit to replace Skrtel. The player's links to Rodgers mean this story will not go away and 28 year old Williams would need to have a distinct change of outlook in order to work with Luis Suarez, whom he has harshly vilified in the past.

Interestingly, there are no new spins on exits for Suarez or Pepe Reina but of course there will be. That complete lack of potential destination has not deterred The Mirror from suggesting that Reina will go, however, and they suggest Sunderland's Simon Mignolet or, inevitably, Swansea's Michel Vorm, as potential replacements. In the case of a deal for the Belgian, it is mooted that Jordan Henderson might make his way in the opposite direction, which is all kinds of awful to think about.

As for potential targets, Sky Sports are reporting that Hamburg's Son Heung-min has stalled on contract talks and mention Liverpool as potential suitors. Dutchman Ibrahim Afellay is back on the carousel again after his injury-plagued loan spell at Schalke. Liverpool continue to be linked with the attacker in a fashion almost as incessant as the perpetual connections with Arda Turan and David Villa.

Liverpool are also reputed to be amongst a number of clubs monitoring Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz, in a story which originated with the player's interview with Radyospor. The 27 year old is joint-leading scorer in the Champion's League with Cristiano Ronaldo and has notched 62 in his last 71 domestic games.

Finally, The International Business Times is running with a story about another familiar name to Liverpool transfer-watchers.They opine that the club could sign a pre-contract agreement with 26 year old Japanese international Keisuke Honda. The CSKA Moscow star is out of contract at season's end and is said to be reluctant to commit to any extension.

The usual healthy skepticism is strongly advised in relation to all of the above. Alternatively, you should feel free to go batshit crazy and weep when all/none of the above comes to pass.