Liverpool Rumour Mill in Overdrive, Part VI: Suarez to Sign, Konchesky To Leave?

Welcome to part six of the January transfer window watch, where we take a look at each player linked with a move to or from Liverpool FC.

At the midway point of the transfer window, Liverpool had already been linked with an astonishing 37 players as well as selling 8 players and bringing in seven new managers!

For the duration of this window, a complete list of players linked with Liverpool FC will be kept updated right here on Bleacher Report....and come the end of the window, we will see just how accurate the media reports are!

To stay up to date with all the latest transfer rumours regarding Liverpool FC, follow me on bleacherreport or on Twitter:      @karlmatchett

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Latest Players linked with moves to/from Liverpool FC:

A new managerial name to add first up today, with insidefutbol.com claiming Claudio Ranieri has been approached with a view to taking over the reins at Anfield in the summer. The report claims that the former Chelsea and Juventus coach has tried to distance himself from the rumours.

Luis Suarez is a name which has popped up regularly in this column this month and several outlets including goal.com have again put his name next to Liverpool, claiming a 25€ million offer will be needed to prise the talented forward from his club Ajax.

Charlie Adam, Blackpool's Scottish captain has been linked with a move to Anfield recently as well. The in-demand midfielder was the subject of a bid from Aston Villa earlier in the week, and TeamTalk has placed Liverpool firmly in the list of admirers of the left footed set-piece specialist.

The Sunday Times claim Kenny Dalglish will make Holland international midfielder Mark van Bommel his first signing of the transfer window, with the Bayern Munich player having been told he can leave for around £2.5 million. van Bommel's age (33) and price may well make this story unlikely, given FSG's wish to focus on younger, more value-for-money investments.

The People have claimed that Milan Jovanovic is set to leave the club to join Turkish outfit Trabzonspor. The Serbian started his first league game for Liverpool in several months against Blackpool last week and was rarely used under Roy Hodgson, leading to much speculation over his Liverpool future despite only arriving at the club in the summer.

Liverpool's own website, liverpoolfc.tv, have announced that they have accepted an offer from German club Hoffenheim for Dutch forward Ryan Babel. It remains to be seen whether Babel accepts this move away from Anfield, as he is reportedly holding out for a move to former club Ajax—possibly as part of a swap deal to bring Luis Suarez to Liverpool.

The Daily Mail brings Dmitri Payet into the equation as they claim his current club, St. Etienne, have broken off contract talks and admit that the French winger could leave the club in the summer if a big offer is received. Payet was heavily linked to Liverpool before Christmas once Damien Comolli was appointed Director of Football Strategy at the club, but this is the first time his name has appeared during the transfer window.

skysports.com have released a story claiming 'several' Premier League clubs have expressed an interest in out-of-favour left back Paul Konchesky. The former Fulham man has yet to start under Kenny Dalglish, though under current FIFA rules he would not be allowed to play for another team as he has already represented two clubs this season.

This problem would be overcome by Fulham taking their old player back, and the Metro have decided this is the course Liverpool will take to lure the London club into parting with American attacker Clint Dempsey, who is wanted by Dalglish after a good first half a season. Konchesky is said to be available on a loan deal to Fulham until the end of the season.

TalkSport and givemefootball.com have suggested that Liverpool officials are losing patience with the Ajax hierarchy and, instead, will move for Ivory Coast forward Lacina Traore should they not be able to agree a fee. Traore has been heavily mentioned this winter with a move to the Premiership, and this is not the first time Liverpool have been linked as suitors.

Japanese playmaker Keisuke Honda is again being linked with the Reds; the CSKA Moscow player is currently at the Asian Cup with his National side, making an imminent move seems unlikely, though website sport.co.uk claims that his agent is ready to discuss any deal with Premiership clubs, with Liverpool leading the chase.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly threatening to step down as coach at the end of the season following a series of disagreements with Jorge Valdano, club Sporting Director, regarding various transfer operations. The Daily Mirror claim Mourinho wants a return to the Premier League, with Liverpool amongst several teams who are possible options for the Portuguese tactician.

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More new names to contend with for Liverpool fans; the Luis Suarez rumour is certainly doing the rounds recently with various sources competing for the award of "co-incidental news breaker" as they randomly guess when the Uruguayan forward is set for a medical at Liverpool.

What seems certain is that, one way or another, Ryan Babel will be leaving the club after a bid was accepted for him, though where he ends up is anybody's guess.

Total players linked with moves to Liverpool: 41 (4 new ones)

Total players linked to be sold: Nine (1 new one)

Total potential new managers: Nine (2 new ones; Kenny Dalglish appointed)

Rumours round-up part 1
Rumours round-up part 2
Rumours round-up part 3
Rumours round-up part 4
Rumours round-up part 5

You can follow me on Twitter:      @karlmatchett