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Liverpool Transfer Rumors: Signing Nuri Sahin Would Be Great Ending to Summer

Steven Cook@@stevencookinX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVAugust 11, 2012

MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 20: Nuri Sahin of Real Madrid looks on during the round of last 16 Copa del Rey second leg match between Real Madrid and Ponferradina at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 20, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Angel Martinez/Getty Images

The boys of Anfield are set to have a much better season in 2012-13 after the summer they've had, but acquiring Nuri Sahin from Real Madrid would put the exclamation point on a great transfer window.

According to Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail, Liverpool has now set its sights on acquiring Sahin or Fullham and U.S. star Clint Dempsey before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

It's become apparent that Sahin's days are nearing an end in Real Madrid. The likelihood of the Turkish player getting much playing time are slim-to-none, especially if they acquire Luka Modric, who is nearing completion on a deal with Jose Mourinho's squad.

Liverpool has seen its dominance in the Premier League dwindle in recent years after losing Fernando Torres to Chelsea, and this would be a major move in the direction to becoming a Champions League contender once again.

With Steven Gerrard far past his prime, Liverpool should be looking for some young players with franchise potential to insert into the midfield position. Sahin provides just that in the aging midfield.

Part of the reason why Sahin has been linked to Liverpool is because of new manager Brendan Rodgers' relationship with Mourinho. The two worked together at Chelsea.

Sahin has been deemed the future of Real Madrid at times during his tenure there, but it doesn't seem apparent that the team will be giving him the playing time he needs to flourish into an elite player. 

If he can come in and grow to his potential, it could end up being a steal for Liverpool, even though such a move would be expensive.

What Liverpool can provide that Real Madrid won't is the chance to be one of the team's best players. His long-term position with the Reds would be the best thing possible for his maturation as a player.

He'd have the opportunity to build a chemistry with star striker Luis Suarez and work under a fiery, motivated Rodgers, who has promised Liverpool's return to prominence. 

There's arguably no better place for a young player to create his own legacy than at Liverpool, a club that has as much tradition as any other and that currently has a wide-open roster with a great deal of potential. While some players may not like the uncertainty that comes with a likely fifth- or sixth-place team, it also gives them the chance to shock the world and make the incredible happen.

Steven Cook is a TNT breaking news writer and Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter to talk transfer news and other hot sports topics.