Liverpool are reportedly closing in on Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas as Brendan Rodgers looks to further strengthen his squad in the summer transfer window.

Aspas has had a good season with Celta, in what has otherwise been an awful season for the club, who currently lie last in La Liga with just two games remaining.

Chelsea and Reading showed an interest in the talented forward in January, with the 25-year-old reportedly having a €10 million (£8.5 million, $13 million) release clause in his contract.

If Celta Vigo get relegated at the end of the season, that release clause will reportedly go down to €7 million (£6 million, $9 million), with Liverpool ready to take full advantage, according to the Daily Mirror.

Aspas is a talented forward capable of playing across the forward line and would fit into Brendan Rodgers' system quite nicely.

At 25, Aspas is also at the right age to ally with the Liverpool owners' policy of buying young players.

Meanwhile, Rodgers has praised Sebastian Coates for sticking with the squad in what has been a trying season for the defender.

Coates has been tipped for a move away from Liverpool in the summer transfer window, and Rodgers admitted he would have a talk with the Uruguayan international during preseason before making a decision on his future.

"Seb has been in here and has been a very loyal member of our squad," Rodgers told the club's official website.

"He has been a great support player for the group. Obviously his chances have been very limited. That's unfortunately how it is sometimes as a defender.

"As a manager you are very rarely changing the defence. It's more the midfield and front players. It's been difficult for him.

"He got a lot of games at the beginning of the season with the cups but obviously since January it has been hard for him. We will sit down when he comes back for preseason and we will take it from there."

"He has been here a few years now. All players want to play, I respect that."