Striker back on the radar

It seems Manchester United will try to test Liverpool's resolve over Pepe Reina with a bid for the goalkeeper in January, or at least so the Metro report.

On the other hand Roy Hodgson has again stated that he does not want any of his first team players to leave, and that he only wants to buy "first team material", in the January tranfer window...

And what seems apparent is that Liverpool looks set to capture a new forward in January...

Again it has been revealed that Ivory Coast forward Gervinho could be making the trip from Lille to Merseyside for as little as €12.5m (£10.7m) before the window closes.

IMScouting relayed the news, explaining that Lille had originally demanded around €15 million (£12.8 million) for their star striker.

However, the clubs have fostered a good working relationship over the last few years and Lille have allegedly lowered their asking price in a friendly deal, Metro reports.

The Ivorian international has been on top form and has so far scored no fewer than seven goals in Ligue 1 this season.

If predictions come true, it could bolster Liverpool's steadily-building league campaign and perhaps help close the gap with Chelsea, where Gervinho's fellow Ivorian Didier Drogba plays.

In the spirit of NESVs stated desire to bring in young talent to Liverpool, it looks as though Roy Hodgson is ready to battle with his old club Fulham for Crystal Palace’s exciting young striker Wilfried Zaha, according to The Mirror.

Kop chief Hodgson wants to take the young Eagle as part of the club’s long-term planning - with Kenny Dalglish also involved in the recruitment of top talent for the future.

Zaha has been a hit for Palace since making his breakthrough this season and Liverpool want to snap him up after landing other prospects like Jonjo Shelvey and Raheem Sterling this year.

Hodgson’s spies have been checking on Zaha, who will ironically face his team in the FA Cup, while other calls have been made to register their interest.

However Hodgson’s old employers at Fulham are also on the hunt for Zaha, who may be sold by George Burley’s club if they need to raise funds to bring in new faces to beat the drop.

Palace would want around £2 million for Ivory Coast-born starlet Zaha, who is still just 18. But in their ideal world he would be left with them for the season.

Liverpool are reportedly considering a move to bring Hatem Ben Arfa to Anfield and will attempt to beat Newcastle United to sealing the French winger on a permanent deal.

The 23 year old is currently on loan at St James’ Park but is sidelined with a long term injury after breaking his leg against Manchester City early in the season and Roy Hodgson is hoping to pip the Magpies to securing a deal to bring the Marseille man to Anfield in the summer, Caughtoffside reports.

Alan Pardew’s side are hoping to seal a £5m deal to bring the French international to the club on a permanent deal but Liverpool may hope to be able to persuade the speedy winger to move to Merseyside but clearly any hope of doing so would depend very much on what kind of finish Hodgson can get out of his team.

A reported Liverpool transfer target is German defender Robert Huth. He now says he plans to snub Liverpool and commit his future to Stoke.

Reds boss Roy Hodgson is keen to land the stopper to beef up his backline and is willing to pay £5million.

But the German is happy at the Britannia Stadium and wants to remain a Potter, we can read in The Mirror.

He said: “I had some texts telling me about the story. It doesn’t bother me because it’s great here at Stoke for me.’’

Elsewhere the agent of Udinese midfielder Gokhan Inler cannot rule out a move away in January.

Inler has repeatedly been linked with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.

"Gokhan will certainly change club in June, but it is not out of the question that it could happen in January,” confessed agent Dino Lamberti, TribalFootball writes.

“The lad has many offers from Spain and England, but would prefer to stay in Italy.”

Bid tabled for Dutch striker?

Roy Hodgson does want to strengthen his Liverpool squad in January, and has dropped a hit that he might turn out frustrated in the January market.

- If the players are available that we have targeted and think could make us a better team then it would help us shape the team a lot quicker than maybe will be the case otherwise, Hodgson said.

But it seems at least one transfer target is being followed seriously...

Liverpool have apparently tabled an £8.5 million bid for Dutch striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

The club are now awaiting a response from the players club, FC Utrecht of the Dutch Eredivisie, TalkSport report.

Liverpool have needed a back-up striker or partner to Fernando Torres for a while, and Roy Hodgson obviously believes that Wolfswinkel will be the answer to his problems.

At the young age of 21, the striker has plenty of time to adjust to life in England and settle at Anfield so he can help the club out of the unfortunate position they currently find themselves in.

He is a versatile player who can also play as an attacking midfielder, but prefers the strikers role – and with good reason too – scoring 10 goals in 11 games in the Eredivisie and 7 goals in 6 Europa League games.

Hodgson was able to watch the player in the Europa League, as Liverpool came up against Utrecht in the Europa League group stages. Wolfswinkel didn’t score in the two games played against Liverpool – no one did, as both games were goalless bore draws, but the Liverpool must have seen something to persuade him to table a bid.

Liverpool are reportedly the only club who have placed a bid, and Utrecht will decide over the weekend,giving Liverpool an answer next week.

Elsewhere it seems Liverpool have stepped up their pursuit of Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik, according to reports in his native Slovakia.

Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was keen on signing the 23-year-old playmaker during his time at the club. But it is thought his summer departure has done nothing to dampen Liverpool's interest.

Damien Comolli, the club's new director of football strategy, has reportedly identified Hamsik - often compared to Czech Republic legend Pavel Nedved - as a key transfer target, Talksport report.

Liverpool are not the only team considering an offer for the £12m-rated star, but Napoli insist no decision will be made on his sale until the end of the season.

Liverpool will also strengthen their defence in the upcoming transfer window with the signing of Stoke City’s Robert Huth, Sportingo claim.

Huth has a wealth of experience despite being just 26 years old and his physical no-nonsense style is reminiscent of Jamie Carragher at a younger age.

The former Chelsea centre back celebrated two Premier League titles while in west London but left in 2006 after finding himself behind John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and William Gallas in the hunt for a starting place in the first team.

Moves to Middlesbrorugh and Stoke have seen the player develop and Reds boss Roy Hodgson has earmarked the German as the ideal defensive reinforcement in January.

A bid of around £5m is likely to be enough to secure his signature.