Gomez interest confirmed

Today Glen Johnson again is linked with a move away from Liverpool. This time it is Real Madrid that apparently is interested in the defender.

He is back on Real Madrid's radar after details emerged of a bust-up between Jose Mourinho and his vice-captain Sergio Ramos, The Daily Mail reports.

Reported Liverpool target Mario Gomez' agent says he expects interest in the January transfer window.

Sport.co.uk understands that the Bayern Munich forward is attracting interest from top European clubs ahead of the January transfer window with the player’s representative expecting enquiries for the striker.

Gomez, 25, is being tracked by Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Juventus following a difficult start to the Bundesliga campaign with Bayern Munchen having onlu recently broken into the first-team following an injury to Miroslav Klose.

The German international is highly regarded as one of Europe’s most prolific marksman following his 35 million euro move from Stuttgart to Bayern Munich in 2009.

Despite recently being given more game time by boss Louis van Gaal Gomez is being monitored closely by the aforementioned trio, but despite interest there has been no formal offers. However the player’s agent does intimate that it is still early to talk about transfer gossip.

Oliver Mintzlaff told Sport.co.uk:

- Mario Gomez is one of the best strikers in Europe, the best German striker, and the best in the Bundesliga. There is no concrete interest, but it is early, we expect interest. But even with Mario at the moment, it is quiet.

Reported Liverpool and Arsenal target Karim Benzema is now also on the radar of Juventus.

According to Il Corriere dello Sport the Italian giants will attempt to sign the Real Madrid striker on loan for the rest of the season in what would represent a blow to his Premier League suitors.

The 22-year-old joined Real from Lyon for around £30 million in 2009 but failed to live up to expectations during his first season at the Bernabeu.

His poor form had led to growing speculation that he would soon leave Spain and, despite a recent turnaround in fortunes for the France international in Madrid, it has been claimed he could still leave Los Blancos should their demands be met.

Liverpool and Arsenal are said to both be monitoring the Frenchman with a view to making a move in January and Real are reportedly willing to accept offers of around £15 million for his services.

But - along with Juventus - Liverpool will allegedly have to battle with with Arsenal in the race for Benzema after Mediaset reported he is the north London club's 'no.1 target'.

David Bentley looks likely to end his nightmare stay at Spurs in January, and is hopeful of securing a move to Liverpool after reports of interest from manager Roy Hodgson, according to Metro.

Bentley, who is still just 26, wants to leave White Hart Lane after falling out of favour with Harry Redknapp in a bid to reignite his flailing career.

And the former Blackburn and Arsenal star has identified Anfield as his first-choice destination amid speculation that Hodgson is considering a bid in the region of £5million to take him to Merseyside.

Bentley has shown flashes of his talent since making the move back to London from Ewood Park in a 2008 deal thought to be in the region of £17million.

However, he has failed to justify his price tag and remains on the fringes of the first team behind several of the club's other creative stars including Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon and new signing Rafael van der Vaart.

Hodgson is desperate to add a specialist winger to his squad and believes for the price he is expected to command during the transfer window, Bentley represents a bargain.

The former England international has started just one Premier League game all season, and his exorbitant wages at Spurs mean the former Fulham manager believes he can play hardball in negotiations over the player's transfer value.

According to the Daily Mirror, Liverpool, along with Stoke, Fulham and Aston Villa are queueing up to sign Manchester City left back Wayne Bridge.

The former England international is not part of Roberto Mancini’s first team plans after he bought Aleksandar Kolarov for £19million from Lazio in the summer and is expected to leave Eastlands in January. 

Stoke are said to be leading the way for the 30 year old as Potters boss Tony Pulis is believed to be lining up a loan bid in the New Year. 

Bridge has two years left on a £70,000 per week contract, after joining from Chelsea in January 2009.

Liverpool’s hopes of signing Rennes right-back Rod Fanni have been given a boost, Imscouting reports.

The news is that a proposed move to Marseille looks likely to fall through.

Fanni is one of the best right-backs in the French top division and has forced his way into the French national team over the past couple of years, making five appearances for them so far.

The attacking-minded defender has been watched closely by Liverpool of late, with Roy Hodgson travelling to France to watch him play against Auxerre last month.  With Hodgson having had a public disagreement with Glen Johnson recently, speculation increased over Fanni's arrival at Liverpool.

However, Marseille have also been linked with Fanni for some time and indicated a few days ago that they expected to tie up a deal for the 29-year-old.

Now, the French champions have revealed that they have been unable to push through a deal for Fanni, leaving the door open for Liverpool.

Marseille chairman Jean-Claude Dassier told RMC:

- Today we can only be pessimistic, Fanni's agent is being irrational and it is doubtful a deal will now be done. I can't see any way it could be completed, except if the player decides to manage himself in a reasonable way.

A name that comes back on to the transfer radar of Roy Hodgson today is Benfica winger Fabio Coentrao.

He was a reported target under Benitez, but now it seems he is back, with GiveMeFootball today reporting on a potential bidding war between several clubs.

Manchester United is a new club in the race for the player that has been monitored by some of Europe's elite in recent seasons.

AC Milan have reportedly earmarked the versatile left sided player, who can play in defence or midfield, as a potential successor to Paolo Maldini, and are poised to move for the player.

This news could spur Manchester United into showing their transfer hand, with the Old Trafford club still keeping an eye on the situation.

Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester City and Juventus are, like Manchester United, also thought to be keen on the player, whilst Liverpool have long been admirers of the players ability.

Hodgson is keen to strengthen his squad, and with question marks over the form of Paul Konchesky, Liverpool could make their move in January. They are the outsiders, though, it is reported.

Another transfer target Liverpool apparently also have to fight against Manchester United to get is Valencia winger Joaquin.

TalkSPORT suggests the Spain international - also a reported target for Liverpool - could be tempted to leave Valencia for Manchester.

Sir Alex Ferguson is allegedly a keen admirer of the 29-year-old and has apparently identified him as the man to replace the injured Antonio Valencia at Manchester United.

However, the Manchester United boss will reportedly have to fight with Liverpool for his signature as Roy Hodgson looks to add more cutting edge to his side in January.

A transfer battle between Manchester United and Liverpool would make for fascinating viewing for the neutrals as each side looks to improve their respective squads.

The Liverpool boss has admitted that his side rely too heavily on the goalscoring talents of Anfield hero Fernando Torres and, hence, is understood to have identified his attacking department as the most in need of reinforcement.