According to The Independent Liverpool is ready to reduce their wage bill in January with the 19-year-old Spaniard considered among those manager Roy Hodgson may be prepared to lose.
This seems odd, given that the Reds the next period will focus on young talent...
Annan impressed in South Africa and looked certain for a move to the Premier League during the summer but no offers were forthcoming. Manchester United were the most prevalent team interested in the 24-year-old and Annan admitted he would jump at the chance to move to Old Trafford.
However, now Sir Alex Ferguson’s interest has blown hot and cold, after the Scot revealed he did not want to bring any more new signings to Manchester United in January, plus the fact Annan is cup-tied for the Champions League matches, and Liverpool have moved into pole position.
The Anfield side have already drawn up a shortlist of potential targets for the forthcoming transfer window and Annan, along with Saint Etienne’s holding midfielder Yann M’Vila, is heading that list.
Roy Hodgson is now expected to fly to Norway and watch the Rosenborg ace as speculation of Annan being Christian Poulsen’s replacement at Anfield.
Liverpool’s new director of football strategy Damian Comolli is thought to have alerted Hodgson to Annan’s availability and the relatively low transfer fee would enable the club’s new owners to bring another, more expensive, world class player to Anfield as well.
An earlier reported transfer target is German striker Mario Gomez.
The Reds were keen on a loan deal for striker in the summer and are still keen to find support for Fernando Torres this winter.
According to The Daily Mail Liverpool will face competition from Juventus if Roy Hodgson renews interest in Germany international Mario Gomez when the transfer window opens.
It remains to be seen whether Liverpool are still on Gomez’s trail. The takeover by NESV has brought greater funds, while the appointment of Damien Comolli as director of football strategy has already led to alternative players being scouted.
Liverpool also according to Live4Liverpool is interested in FC Basel midfielder Valentin Stocker.
His agent Marco Balmelli has told TMW that Liverpool are interested in the Swiss winger:
- Liverpool? Yes, with the English club I have had contact. How much? Five to six million euro. Valentin is good technically, can play multiple roles, both on the wing and the centre, said his agent.
Stocker is only 21 but has already made seven appearances for Switzerland, scoring 3 goals.
His agent Marco Balmelli has told TMW that Liverpool are interested in the Swiss winger:
- Liverpool? Yes, with the English club I have had contact. How much? Five to six million euro. Valentin is good technically, can play multiple roles, both on the wing and the centre, said his agent.
Stocker is only 21 but has already made seven appearances for Switzerland, scoring 3 goals.
Manchester City winger Adam Johnson is allegedly on Liverpool's radar.
The England Player is reportedly weighing up his options at Eastlands after failing to hold onto a regular spot in Roberto Mancini's starting XI.
- Every footballer has to think about it when the time comes. It is still early but I definitely would consider [leaving], Johnson told the Telegraph.
Johnson joined City from Middlesbrough last January for around £11 million and has since found himself become an increasingly influential player in the England set-up.
And now, according to Metro, Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is monitoring Johnson's situation at City with a view to making a move for the midfielder in January.
Liverpool owners NESV are keen to invest in young talent in the New Year and, at 23-years-old, Johnson certainly has a bright future ahead of him.
Whether Liverpool will launch a bid for Johnson in the New Year remains to be seen, but it is sure to be a busy January at Anfield as Hodgson and NESV look to continue the rebuilding job on Merseyside.
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