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.

Four players linked

The rumour mill is running warm with speculations to what players Hodgson is going to bring to Anfield in january.

The biggest rumour right now is about the Hungarian striker Adam Szalai. The player is today according to Sky Sports being linked with Liverpool and Inter Milan.

The player is today earning his trade with the Bundesliga side Mainz, scoring three goals for the German outfit and claimed a hat-trick in Hungary's 8-0 win over San Marino earlier this month before adding his fourth goal in five internationals in their 2-1 win over Finland.
 
The 22-year-old was a youth player at Real Madrid and joined Mainz on a six-month loan last season before moving to Germany on a permanent basis this summer.

Reports in Hungary claim he could be set to return to one of Europe's big clubs, although his agent, Oliver Fischer, stressed there is no rush for him to move on.

- If there was an offer then it's likely that we would consider it, he told Nemzeti Sport.

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On to the Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari, who reportedly is set to quit the San Siro in January.

Liverpool is said to be among the clubs following the player, who earlier has played for Portsmouth, Sports.co.uk reports.

His representative did stress that there is interest from Spain, but the Premier League is the Ghanaian’s preferred destination.

- It could be that he will leave in the January transfer window, we have to arrange a meeting in the next few days in Milan to discuss his future, and then we will know the conditions of a transfer. There has been contact from the Premier League, but also in Spain. But for Sulley a return to England and the Premier League is definitely a possibility, he said. 

Another player appearing in the transfer jungle today is Borussia Dortmund’s highly rated in form youngster Nuri Sahin.

Roy Hodgson is according to Caughtoffside lining up a January swoop for the player.

TheTurkish international has been in superb form this season helping his side to second place in the Bundesliga and appears to be a player that the Anfield manager is interested in bringing in to boost the club’s midfield.

Now in his fifth season in the Dortmund first team Sahin has been in sparkling form this term with his box to box performances attracting a lot of interest including from German giants Bayern Munich who appear to have a healthy interest in the young Turk.

Unrealisticly The Daily Star reports that Hodgson will be given a £60million transfer budget, with £30m of them for january. 

The paper stated that one of the managers first priorities in January will be to spend a sizeable chunk on Benfica wing back Fabio Coentrao.

Coentrao impressed for Portugal during this summer’s World Cup, alongside team-mate Raul Meireles, and Hodgson believes Coentrao could add extra depth to Liverpool’s defence and midfield.

Originally a left winger, Coentrao converted to left back for Benfica with considerable success last season and helped the Portuguese club to the league title. He was then first choice full back for Carlos Queiroz for Portugal in South Africa.