After the deadline day debacle, Liverpool are attempting to correct their mistakes by completing business early when the transfer window re-opens in January.
Two players strongly linked with moves to Anfield are Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge and Blackpool attacker Thomas Ince.
The Mirror and The Guardian both report today that Liverpool will secure the duo for a combined £18m, and will do so swiftly once the window opens.
£12m of that is expected to go towards signing Sturridge, a player Brendan Rodgers attempted to sign in August but the deal fell through when Liverpool wanted to loan the England international but the player himself preferred a permanent move.
Sturridge, 23, has struggled to hold down a place in the Chelsea side this season, making just 12 appearances, scoring twice. A Man City academy product, Sturridge’s most prolific spell in the Premier League was during a loan spell at Bolton in 2011 when he scored an impressive 8 goals in 12 appearances. His versatility to play either of the wide roles in Rodgers’ three forwards makes him one of the manager’s top targets.
Similar to Sturridge, Ince is also capable of playing either side of the central striker in attack. The 20 year old left Liverpool for Blackpool when his contract expired 18 months ago – seeking regular first-team football. He has impressed with 13 goals in 20 games for the Seasiders this season. Liverpool are believed to have a 35% sell-on fee as part of the original deal, taking the fee closer to £4m for the England under-21 international.
The Mirror also report that Liverpool have “made a move” to sign Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez. Initial reports in Catalan press earlier this week claimed Liverpool scouts were watching the Chile forward.
Sanchez, again 23, joined Barca for a whopping £30m from Udinese in 2011 but has failed to cement a spot at Camp Nou. Sanchez would be an exciting proposition but a loan move with a view to a permanent deal may be more likely than an outright bid at the moment.
Meanwhile, The Guardian reports that Rodgers’ attempts to add Theo Walcott to his attacking options “have been frustrated by Arsène Wenger’s determination to keep the England international at Arsenal until the end of his contract next summer.”
Elsewhere, Liverpool have been linked with Wolves‘ 19 year old forward Liam McAlinden, and defender Sebastian Coates is linked with a move to River Plate. Brendan Rodgers could surprise a few by signing another centre back in January to challenge Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger.
Let’s hope that these reports have substance and deals are completed swiftly when the window opens. It would be nice to have a new face or two when we face Man United on January 13th.
Video: The Redmen TV Preview January Transfer Window
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