Striker alternative reappears on the Liverpool transfer radar

While rumors recently mainly have been about Luis Suarez and Charlie Adam, late Saturday evening, another familiar name appeared on the radar.

It appears Liverpool are checking other alternatives for the striker position, to support Fernando Torres in scoring goals. People on social media tonight started asking questions about this rumour...

And, as a report from CaughtOffside say, Liverpool are rumoured to be preparing an ambitious move for Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente if the club fail to land Ajax striker Luis Suarez.

The Anfield side has previously been linked with the in form Spanish international and Damien Comolli is said to be a big admirer of the giant striker and whilst he would be a tough target to land the Merseyside club are nonetheless interested in the potentially explosive partnership he could form with Fernando Torres.

Indeed the presence of Torres and fellow Spaniard Pepe Reina at Liverpool may be helpful to any potential move to bring the Pamplona born striker to the Premier League club.

A move for Llorente would not come cheap and his club reportedly value him as being worth up to £35m but it is unlikely Liverpool would bid anything like that amount and are more likely to offer around the same sum as they have been told to pay for Luis Suarez.

Fanni deal almost done?

As there is just over 20 days left until the January transfer window opens, the rumour mill is getting hotter by the hour.

Today some really exciting rumours has occured on the radar...

Highly rumoured Marseill right back Rod Fanni could be the first player through the Shankly Gates come next month.

According to The Daily Mail Liverpool hope to complete a £3m deal within the nex 48 hours.

Marseille also want the 29-year-old after losing Spain Under 21 international Cesar Azpilicueta for the rest of the season, but Rennes - third in the French league - would rather sell Fanni abroad than strengthen a team who are one place and one point behind them.
Reliable French newspaper L’Equipe reports that Liverpool are very keen on Fanni and Rennes general manager Pierre Dreossi said:

- A decision will be made within 48 hours.

A player that has not been on the Liverpool radar since april 2008 is Brazilian, some might say fading ace, Ronaldinho.

Reports originating from Italy now claim that Liverpool are trying to take the 30-year-old Brazilian ace to Anfield, according to Sport.co.uk.

The Brazilian international has been a peripheral figure at the San Siro this season with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pato and Robinho all preferred by coach Massimiliano Allegri.

A star of Frank Rijkaard’s spell in charge at Barcelona, Ronaldinho signed on in Serie A in 2008 but has failed to find the form which saw him crowned World Player of the Year in both 2004 and 2005.

A mercurial figure with the ball at his feet, the samba star is still regarded as one of the most talented creative players in the game and could be open to a move to England after coming close to sealing a deal with Manchester United in 2003.

The Brazilian is understood to currently earn in excess of £6 million a season, a figure which would no doubt make new owners NESV baulk.

Another exciting development is that Spain striker Fernando Llorente seems to be back in the rumour fold.

Liverpool have emerged as serious contenders for the signature of Spurs transfer target Fernando Llorente in January, Metro reports.

Buoyed by the club's upturn in fortunes of late, new Reds ownership group NESV are set to put their full weight behind Roy Hodgson by bringing in significant reinforcements to bolster the squad.

And although Liverpool have recently been linked to some bargain signings as the manager looks to bring in some new faces - the latest name is a Spanish international and World Cup winner who could form a formidable partnership with Fernando Torres.

Fernando Llorente, 25, could be sold by Athletic Bilbao in the January transfer window, given the club's well-publicised financial problems.

It is thought Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has already made enquiries about the player, but Llorente would be more tempted by an offer from Merseyside, given the presence of international team-mate Torres.

An asking price in the region of £16million could be a stumbling block for the Reds, whose new owners are trying to remain frugal.

Today's new name is Palermo midfielder Josip Ilicic, who reporteldy has caught the red eye.

The Slovenian international has caught the eye of a number of Europe’s top clubs with six goals in 13 goals for the Serie A so far this season.

Roy Hodgson’s Liverpool is now reportedly are ready to step up their pursuit of the 22-year-old, TotalFootballMadness writes.

It is however said that German giants Bayern Munich will be Liverpool’s main rivals for the signature of the €2.5 million playmaker who – like Anfield hero Steven Gerrard – is famed for his long-range shooting ability.

A deal for Ilicic would serve as further proof that Liverpool owners NESV plan to bring young talent to Anfield in their quest to build a squad for the future.

A player that also earlier has been linked with a move to Merseyside is West Hams midfielder Scott Parker.

Now Liverpool are ready to join Tottenham in a raid on the London club for the signature of Parker, according to Footylatest.

The fact that Parker has extended his contract at West Ham seems to make no difference to the Liverpool and Tottenham bosses and who can blame them with West Ham looking Championship bound they have probably figured that the West Ham owners will try and cash in on Parker as soon as they can.

West Ham though have apparently slapped a £20 Million price tag on Parker and it is hard to see how Liverpool can pay that sort of cash out even if the new owners are making funds available, Tottenham can afford it, that is not open to debate, but Liverpool is very questionable.

Spanish star being priced out?

After that sobering defeat to Stoke at the weekend once again there is speculations regarding Roy Hodgsons future as Liverpool manager.

And once again the Dutch legend Frank Rijkaard is linked with the managerial post.

According to GiveMeFootball the odds have dramatically been shortened on Rijkaard becoming the new man at the Liverpool helm.  

Martin O’Neill and Guus Hiddink are also thought to be in contention, while Liverpool fans’ favourite Kenny Dalglish is a 12/1 shot with SkyBet. 

But regardless of who is the Liverpool manager in january, there will be money available for a star player, if the price is right...

In addition, Hodgson may possibly get money from the sale of Dani Pacheco, who wants out and from Alberto Aquilani who wants a permanent move to Juventus. And he would be willing to take Glen Johnson with him to Italy.

This is money Hodgson probably would need if the following player is on Hodgsons wish list in January;

Athletic Bilbao has slapped a price tag on reported Liverpool target Fernando Llorente. 

Liverpool will have to cough up a massive €63million if they are to land the Spanish, TalkSport reports.

Damien Camolli has been told that the club's owners New England Sports Ventures would make money available for a world class signing in the transfer window.

But their chances of landing the 6ft 5in Spanish international now seem remote after the La Liga club revealed they have increased the his buy-out clause from €36m to an eye-watering €63m.

Real Madrid are also keen on the big striker, but even they seem unlikely to meet that whopping asking price.

A new name poping up is French right-back Rod Fanni.

According to The Mirror Roy Hodgson eyes up the player as Glen Johnson's replacement.

Hodgson flew to watch the Rennes defender against Auxerre on Sunday and is poised to make a bargain offer of around £3m in the New Year window.

Fanni, 29 next month, is one of the most respected right backs in his homeland and has won five caps for France.

He has been close to coming to the Premier League before when Newcastle, Sunderland and Everton tried for him.

Another reported Liverpool target is PSV Eindhoven's Ibrahim Afellay.

PSV Eindhoven have now confirmed they have agreed a deal with Barcelona for the January transfer of highly-rated midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, TeamTalk writes.

Afellay announced last month he would not be signing a new contract when his current deal expires at the end of the season with PSV.

A number of clubs, including the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal were linked with the Holland international, but Barcelona have won the race for the 24-year-old's signature.

The Llorente rumour heats up

On this day, in the aftermath of the Napoli 3-1 win, Jamie Carragher says Gerrard is Liverpools best player ever. On the other hand Roy Hodgson says Liverpool cannot keep relying on Gerrard brilliance.

Today also Tom Werner was appointed new chairman of the club, saying he is positive about the ide of a 39th game in Premier League abroad.

The hottest prospect in the transfer market right now, being linked with Liverpool, is Athletic Bilbao star Fernando Llorente. Reports say that he is expected to replace Fernando Torres, if he leaves in January.

Speculation is rife that Torres will quit Anfield in the middle of another disappointing campaign, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Barcelona all linked with him, Talksport writes.

Liverpool won't allow Torres to leave without having a replacement lined up, and his international understudy is the man at the top of their list.

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The 6ft 5in striker, who has scored seven times in 12 appearances for Spain, is nicknamed ‘the Lion King’ in Spain and has a growing reputation both in La Liga and around Europe.

But if the Reds are to pull off a deal for the 25-year-old, new owners New England Sports Ventures may have to meet the €36million buy-out clause in his Bilbao contract.

Another story that has been developing the last few days is that of the young Belgian international Eden Hazard.

He has been admired by Arsene Wenger for many years, but now it seems that Liverpool have joined Arsenal in a bid to take him to Anfield in January.

France Football reports that the 19 year-old was originally thought to be bound for the Emirates, but Liverpool’s new Director of Football, Damien Comolli, has also made contact with Lille as he has been tasked with finding a talented playmaker to assist Fernando Torres at Liverpool, LiverpoolFCNews.net reports.

According to GiveMeFootball.com the attacking midfielder, who often plays in the wing positions, is being courted by Manchester United, Arsenal and Lyon.

Serie A outfit Inter Milan were also thought to be keeping tabs on the player, but former Reds boss Rafa Benitez has dismissed the claims of a potential 2011 bid.

Dubbed 'the little Messi' by Lille boss Claude Puel, 19-year-old Hazard has made 80 appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit already. He also has Europa League experience, as well as international recognition with 16 caps thus far for Belgium.

Lille are struggling financially and it is reported that they would accept any reasonable offer over 13m euros for their young star, but it now remains to be seen whether Arsenal or Liverpool want him the lost.

When it comes to the interest in Dutchman Ibrahim Afellay it seems Liverpool is not the only interested club.

The Dutchman’s contract with PSV Eindhoven expires at the end of the season and he has made it clear he does not wish to sign a new deal.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson reportedly traveled to the Netherlands to watch the 24-year-old with a view to signing him while Arsene Wenger also wants to lure Afellay to Arsenal.

However, reports in Spain are now suggesting Jose Mourinho will launch a January bid to bring then highly rated youngster to Spain, GiveMeFootball reports.

But the player himself has already admitted he would love to play in the Premier League, handing the initiative back to Arsenal and Liverpool.

Four players for January?

Today it is reported that former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez wants to sign his earlier pupil Lucas Leiva. The Daily Mail says Inter manager Benitez is hoping to shore up his midfield after being humiliated by Spurs.

However, in this blog we consentrate on players rumoured coming in.

One rumour that keeps coming back is that about Hodgson being ready to break the bank to sign Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente.

Manchester United and Manchester City have been linked with Llorente in recent weeks.However, Radio Cadena Ser says Hodgson, armed with cash from new club owners NESV, is willing to meet Llorente's €36 million buyout clause to bring the striker to Merseyside in January, TribalFootball reports.

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My personal opinion is that I don't think Hodgson will be given this kind of cash to sign one player. Llorente may be a quality player, but i do belive Hodgson and NESV will focus on younger and cheaper alternatives.

Yesterdays I reported on the new Director of Football Strategy being brought in - Damien Comolli.

He believes Tottenham will struggle to keep hold of talented Gareth Bale.

Comolli, who brought Bale to Spurs, suggested the club will have to battle to hold on to him.

- Spurs are desperate to hold on to Gareth but I know last summer there were big, big clubs sniffing around. If they are ambitious and want to do well in the future they have to keep hold of him and Champions League football should help them do that, he says according to Triballfootball.

Maybe a January transfer target for Liverpool?

The same Comolli could also be instrumental in bringin Saint-Etienne captain Blaise Matuidi to Liverpool, The Daily Mail suggests.

Comolli rates the tough-tackling France midfielder very highly and

along with Arsenal, Liverpool were already tracking the £7million-rated 23-year-old. But Comolli's arrival from the French club gives them the upper hand in prising one of France's most promising prospects from Ligue 1.

Comolli quit Saint-Etienne on Tuesday before his move to Liverpool was revealed. He fought hard to keep Matuidi at the French club but admitted that the lure of huge club would be hard to resist.

- I'm not being naive, I know it will be difficult to keep him and know he will end up in England or one of the top clubs in Europe. Whoever comes for him, it will cost them a lot of money, he said last month. 

Another new name this week is Preston North Ends defender Sean St Ledger.

Villa scouts have watched the Republic of Ireland international regularly while Liverpool assistant boss Sammy Lee has also run the rule over the 25-year-old, The Daily Mail reports.

St Ledger has recaptured his form and fitness after a difficult past 18 months where he saw a move to Middlesbrough collapse and tentative inquiries from Celtic come to nothing.

However, Preston are struggling to shed their debts and will be willing to listen to offers in January with an asking price of around £4million.

The next Hyypia?

Liverpools new owners NESV today met with the Liverpool organisation, and John W. Henry warned he will not throw money at the club in a bid to solve their problems.

However, undoubtedly there will be spent some money on new players in january.

Todays hottest prospect in the rumour mill is the Norwegian, towering stopper Brede Hangeland.

Former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp believes the club will launch a raid for the Fulham defender in january, Sport.co.uk reports. He is suggesting the Norwegian is the closest thing to Anfield legend Sami Hyypia.

Hodgson’s close relationship with him could aid his endeavours to land Hangeland; if he in january still is the manager of the club. 

- I’m sure Mark Hughes is bracing himself for a bid from former Fulham manager Roy Hodgson, now he has the Red Sox millions behind him at Anfield, Redknap writes in his Daily Mail column.

Another player being linked with a move to Anfield this fine monday is Wigans Charles N'Zogbia.

Birmingham are being tipped to rekindle their interest in the player, but the Frenchman's form so far this season is said to have alerted the Anfield scouts, Metro.co.uk reports.

N'Zogbia was very close to completing a move to Birmingham i august, but the deal never materialized.

Birmingham is reported to be improving on the Wigan winger's £9million price-tag from the summer, but Liverpool will probably have the funds to compete for his signature.

Todays third rumor is about a tall spaniard. Fernando Llorente is said to have been on the Liverpool radar for some time now.

According to the Liver4Liverpool site Chief Scout Eduardo Macia is keeping tabs on the Atletic Bilbao player, keeping Roy Hodgson and the coaching staff informed of the player.

The spaniard currently has a very impressive record at international level with seven goals in twelve games, and is certainly now challenging Torres for a starting place in the Spanish national side.

Last but not least Liverpool is today being linked with the russian international striker Alexander Kerzhakov.

According to The Daily Mail Liverpool scouts watched the 27-year-old striker score for Russia against Ireland last week which followed on from hat-tricks for his club Zenit St Petersburg against Anderlecht in the Europa League and against Saturn Moscow in the Russian league.

Liverpool would be looking at paying around £6million but the player still has three years left on contract.