Johnson replacement in sight?

The January transfer window is just about ten days away, with the rumour mill going of it's hinges.

Even if it has been said Liverpool do not need or want to sell players, one or two might find the way out of Anfield. One player that has not been of the best this season is Christian Poulsen. He might be headed for London.

According to Goal.com West Ham manager Avram Grant want to move for the Liverpool flop if he avoids sack until January

If another player disapears in January, Hodgson apparently has his replacement in sight... 

Roy Hodgson has apparently decided to get rid of Glen Johnson after all, and has set his sights on Russian right back Alexander Anyukov to replace him, FootballTransferTavern reports.

After the Liverpool boss’ very public criticism of Johnson’s form, it was thought the England right back would be on his way out of Anfield come January, and despite club press releases to the contrary, it looks as though the relationship between player and manager is beyond repair.

The Daily Mail has reported Hodgson’s interest in Alexander Anyukov, who currently plays for Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg. The 28-year-old is a very experienced professional, including 54 caps for his country, and may bring a bit of stability to Liverpool’s back line.

Anyukov is valued by his club at around £10m, which Liverpool would hope to recoup from Glen Johnson’s transfer.


Liverpool seems to be bringing in two young players in Millwall’s youth goalkeeper Yusuf Mersin and Swedish striker Kristoffer Peterson from Savedalens IF.

But the youth recruitment don't stop there...

Liverpool are hoping to sign Inter Milan youngster Davide Santon according to Cauthoffside.

The talented teenage Italian international has been told he can leave the San Siro and a host of clubs are looking to secure his signature and given the much publicised reports of a falling out between Hodgson and England international Glen Johnson the reports of interest in another right back are no surprise.

Santon has spent the past two seasons trying valiantly to fight for his place with the Serie A giants but is now looking for a new challenge and has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League with the likes of Tottenham and Chelsea reportedly interested in the attack minded wide man who can also operate in an advanced right wing role.

Ironically Liverpool’s hopes of signing the £8m rated Inter Milan starlet may be helped if Rafa Benitez, as widely reported, is sacked as the former Anfield boss may not be so keen to sell to a club who gave him the axe.

And apparently the money from a possible Glen Johnson sale can be ending up many different places...

Again Liverpool is being linked with a move for Mancester City's Shaun Wright-Phillips - now funded by the Glen Johnson sale, The Metro reports.

Liverpool's new owners are ready to sanction a move to end Shaun Wright-Phillips’ miserable spell at Manchester City, with Glen Johnson heading to Europe to fund the transfer, they write.

Anfield boss Roy Hodgson wants more pace in his pedestrian midfield and has identified England winger Wright-Phillips as the perfect candidate for that requirement.

The Reds accept defender Glen Johnson is on his way after a breakdown in his relationship with Hodgson, with Bayern Munich joining Juventus and Inter Milan as possible destinations.

And his departure will help fund the move for former Chelsea star Wright-Phillips, who has found his first-team opportunities severely limited under Roberto Mancini.

One transfer rumour that is being dismissed today is that of Russia striker Alexander Kerzhakov, who has told Liverpool he is not the answer to their striker shortage.

Anfield scouts have watched the Zenit St Petersburg striker over the last six months, but he is keen to stay at the newly crowned Russian champions, The Daily Mail say.

- I'm not planning to go anywhere, said Kerzhakov, who was this week named player of the season in Russia.

- I feel at home here and I don't want to move anywhere.

Today's updated rumour is about Birmingham defender Scott Dann.

Now Birmingham reportedly are bracing themselves for a £10 million bid from Liverpool.

According to the Daily Mirror, the Merseysiders have been closely monitoring the 23-year-old who intends to consider his options should an offer be tabled by a serious bidder.

The chance to join the Reds could prove too good to refuse for the the defender who is a Liverpool native and supposedly once had an Anfield season ticket.

There has been growing speculation in recent months that Dann could be on his way to Liverpool after a string of imperious displays at the heart of the defence - and the former Walsall man has admitted to being humbled by the interest in his signature.

- Obviously the speculation linking me with some top clubs in the Premier League is flattering, Dann told skysports.com.

- Ultimately it is my ambition to play at the highest level with a major club like it is for any player, but for the time being I am happy playing at Birmingham and I am focused on doing my best for the club.

Whether a move for Dann comes to fruition remains to be seen, but Liverpool are thought to be in the market for defensive reinforcements next month.

Former Liverpool striker back to Anfield in January?

Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse was linked with a move back to Liverpool in the summer transfer window, and has been mentioned on the transfer radar this fall as well.

The Metro even claimed at the end of November that Cisse was 'set for a Liverpool return' in January, whilst reports in Europe claimed that the Merseysiders would make a substantial offer for the player.

The striker, now playing for Greek side Panathanaikos is reportedly unsettled after a year and a half at the club.

Despite the change in manager at Anfield, the Reds are still thought to be keen on the player, with new boss Roy Hodgson considering bringing the former Liverpool favourite back to the club.

Fresh speculation in various other media outlets suggests that the rumours will continue until the opening month of the New Year, at which point Liverpool will have to decide on their best transfer options.

The former Auxerre, Marseille and Sunderland striker believes he has 'unfinished' business at Anfield following a couple of severe injuries during his time at the club, although he was part of the Champions League winning side in 2005, GiveMeFootball believes.

Fulham could provide Premier League competition for the player's signature, although the old Liverpool connection would make them a favourite destination for the player should they decide to spend some of NESV's money the 29-year-old French international.

Another striker that appears on the transfer radar is Borussia Dortmund star Nuri Sahin.

Liverpool are according to TalkSport ready to join the battle for the player.

The German-born Turkey international has earned rave reviews for his displays for Bundesliga table-toppers Dortmund so far this season.

And his form has reportedly caught the eye of Serie A sides Juventus and Inter Milan, who are said to be preparing summer bids,

But reports in Germany have revealed that Liverpool are now ready to rival any offer from Italy for the 22-year-old.

It is understood that Dortmund will refuse to sell in January, but could be ready to do business in the summer for a figure of around £13m.

Liverpool have made Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla their prime transfer target in the January transfer window, according to reports from Spain,  Sport.co.uk writes.

AS comments that the Spanish international, who has been an instrumental influence in the 'Yellow Submarines' rise to third spot in the Primera Division table this season.

His performances have not gone unnoticed on Merseyside, with Reds boss Roy Hodgson looking to strengthen the team by tempting Cazorla to the Barclays Premier League.

The 26-year-old has never hidden his desire to play at a bigger club, with Real Madrid and Barcelona linked with him two years ago, and may be interesting in a move to the illustrious Anfield outfit.

Despite missing the World Cup through injury, Cazorla has returned to the fold under Vicente Del Bosque, and given the presence of La Furia Roja colleagues Sant.

Liverpool appear to be leading the chase for FC Nuremberg playmaker Mike Frantz.

Aston Villa are also reportedly keeping tabs on the 24-year-old midfielder who has seen his stock rise dramatically thanks to a string of impressive performances in the Bundesliga this season.

According to Sport.co.uk, despite the fact Frantz has yet to represent Germany, he is held in a similar regard to Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller and his style of play has also drawn comparisons to his compatriots.

Liverpool are now thought to be frontrunners for Frantz's signature after his agent revealed contact had been made with a Premier League club.

Guido Nickolay told Sport.co.uk:

- Mike (Frantz) will be making a move. There are clubs interested but there is particular demand from England and the Premier League. I cannot name specific clubs at this time, but he should be leaving FC Nuremberg.
 

Elsewhere Liverpool apparently has an interest for Russia international right back Alexander Anyukov, as a replacement for unsettled Glen Johnson.

Now Zenit St Petersburg are ready to price Liverpool out of a move for the player, The Daily Mail reports.

The Russia international has been tipped for Anfield in the past and admits he is an avid fan of the Barclays Premier League. But the Russian champions would demand a hefty fee to consider letting the reliable full back leave.

Spartak Moscow are testing the water about his availability and Bayern Munich have also been linked.

But a £17million fee has already been mooted, which is more than Liverpool are likely to receive for unsettled England international Glen Johson.