Liverpool have had a tough start to the season under new manager Brendan Rodgers
January’s transfer window could make or break the clubs season. The Merseyside club currently sit in 10th place, 8 points off their city rivals Everton.
Manager Brendan Rodgers was left with a depleted playing squad in August following Andy Carroll’s loan departure and the failure to sign Clint Dempsey. What’s more, Liverpool’s second-choice striker Fabio Borini was ruled out for three months in October after he broke his foot.
His youth-packed squad has competed gallantly so far, however the Reds need more depth in order to get a European place this year.
Here are the players we could expect to see at Anfield within the next month or so.
Daniel Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge is on the brink of making a £12million move to Liverpool from Chelsea after passing his medical.
The 23-year-old striker was on Merseyside at the beginning of the week to undergo a series of tests after agreeing personal terms with the Reds.
The transfer ran into trouble last week due to the cash demands of Sturridge’s agent but those issues have since been resolved.
There is unlikely to be any official announcement from the club about the England international’s arrival until after the transfer window has opened.
Jack Butland
The Mirror reports that Jack Butland could be the next player set to join Liverpool.
The Birmingham City goalkeeper is set to be sold by the club who are financially struggling, sparking a bidding war between a host of clubs given how highly rated the 19-year-old is.
Liverpool have been shopping around to find a successor for current keeper Pepe Reina and feel that the Blues stopper could be the ideal replacement.
Demba Ba
Speculation is once more rife that the 27-year-old Senegal international will leave Tyneside next month when the £7.5million clause in his contract becomes active again during the winter transfer window.
With Rodger’s eager to sign a striker, Ba could be the ideal candidate at a bargain price.
Franco Di Santo
Brendan Rodgers could be set to sign another striker as he is keeping tabs on Wigan’s Franco Di Santo.
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez publicly insists they are hopeful of keeping the 23-year-old Argentina international. But privately the Wigan hierarchy fear he will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.
That has alerted Rodgers who knows Di Santo from their days together as young player and coach at Chelsea.
Tom Ince
Blackpool manager Michael Appleton says Liverpool have contacted the club about re-signing winger Thomas Ince, but has denied that a deal is already in place.
Liverpool want the 20-year-old back, a year and a half after he left Anfield.
Ince has scored 13 goals this season for Blackpool, and has been linked with a plethora of clubs all desperate for his signature.
Lucas Biglia
Liverpool target Lucas Biglia has been told he can leave Anderlecht if they offer £8.35m.
The Argentine midfielder has long been an Anfield target and was linked with Arsenal in the summer. Anderlecht have decided that the 26-year-old can leave, but only if they receive an offer of €10.25m.
Brendan Rodgers is keen on bringing the Argentinian midfielder to the club in order to strengthen up and stabilize his midfield.
Bafetimbi Gomis
Liverpool are said to have turned to Lyon powerhouse Gomis to solve their problems in attack.
The 27-year-old has already scored nine times, leading to speculation of a move away.
Reports suggest Liverpool representatives have offered around £8million for the striker, who has 10 caps for France and has previously been linked with Real Madrid.
Sofiane Feghouli
Liverpool have also reportedly entered the race for the signature of Valencia winger Sofiane Feghouli.
The Algerian has been a target for Paris Saint-Germain in the past, and now Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has turned his attentions to him, according to The Mirror.
Feghouli’s contract is up in 2014 and the Spanish side could be forced to cash in on the 22-year-old due to their financial problems.
Arda Turan
Atletico Madrid star Arda Turan has been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool following comments made by agent Ahmet Bulut claiming the Turkish international midfielder will be leaving Atleti at the end of the season.
Bulut told Turkish state broadcasting service TRT, “Arda has played at Atletico Madrid for two seasons now. I have wanted to see him play for another team in another league and Arda wants the same.
“We are working on making this happen, Atletico know what our intention is and are working with us. If all goes well, Arda will leave the Madrid club at the end of this season.”
Andreas Granqvist
Andreas Granqvist has welcomed interest from Liverpool and revealed he would be keen on a move to Anfield.
The Sweden international will be known to Wigan fans as he spent 18 months with the Latics and made 14 appearances in the 2007-2008 season.
He struggled to secure a permanent position with the Barclays Premier League outfit but has now established himself as one of the best defenders in Serie A.
And Brendan Rodgers has asked Liverpool scouts to monitor his progress this season with a bid for the 27-year-old a possibility in January.
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