Liverpool Transfer Rumors: Analyzing Top Players Linked to Reds

After a season in which their offense failed to impress, it's no surprise that Liverpool have been linked to Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey and Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge.

According to Metro, Dempsey is a rumored target of Liverpool, along with several other Premier League sides. With his career winding down, the 29-year-old American midfielder is known to be looking for a deal with one of the Premier League's elite clubs, and Liverpool seem to fit the bill.

After netting 17 goals for Fulham in the Premiership last season, Dempsey would appear to be an ideal fit for a Liverpool midfield in need of some scoring prowess. However, it's difficult to wonder if the £4 million tag rumored by Metro would be enough to sign Dempsey.

A hot commodity on the transfer market, Dempsey could be of value to a Premier League side like Arsenal who are looking to make a run at a Champions League title next season.

While Brendan Rodgers has agreed not to drag any of his former Swansea players to Liverpool, he has an opportunity to snag Gylfi Sigurdsson, a midfielder with offensive prowess who could complement Dempsey (via WalesOnline.co.uk). According to International Business Times, Sigurdsson has been hinting at a move to Liverpool after delaying a full-time swap to Swansea:

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Meanwhile, it looks to be almost certain that Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson will follow Rodgers from Swansea City to Liverpool.

The 22-year-old Iceland star played for Rodgers at Reading as well as at Swansea, while on loan from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim. After a stellar second-half to the season, Swansea agreed to a £6.8million transfer fee to have Sigurdsson join the team on a more permanent basis.

Now that Rodgers has left Swansea for Liverpool, the move looks likely to be shut down. The Daily Mail reports that Sigurdsson will now scrap the deal and look to move to Anfield to join the manager that coached him to great form at Swansea.

Sigurdsson explained his intentions to mbl.is, an Icelandic publication.

"I expect not to stay at Swansea because of the uncertainty going on there as it is not clear who is boss.

"I have said that my desire to continue playing in the Premier League and Liverpool is completely considered."

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While Dempsey represents a more short-term solution in the midfield, the 22-year-old Sigurdsson could be a long-term fit in Brendan Rodgers' midfield.

Perhaps a more recognizable name, Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge has been a rumored target of Liverpool, according to the Daily Star.

According to Steve Millar of the Star, Liverpool would be willing to spend £15 million on the Chelsea forward:

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Sturridge has been unhappy at his lack of games under Italian Di Matteo and, when he has come on as a substitute in a wide position, he doesn’t feel comfortable. He sees himself as playing in a central role.

Liverpool would be delighted to make him one of their main men and it’s no secret that they tried to get him to Anfield as part of the Fernando Torres deal when the Spaniard joined Chelsea last year.

Rodgers sees Sturridge fitting perfectly into a Kop strikeforce featuring Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll and Craig Bellamy.

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It's no secret that Liverpool are looking for proven goal-scorers, and although Sturridge failed to flash his full potential at Stamford Bridge, he could enhance an attack led by Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

In fact, evidence of Sturridge's promise was shown in his brief stint on loan with Bolton Wanderers just two years ago. In 11 stats with the Wanderers, Sturridge posted an impressive eight goals, leading to some extra looks upon his return to the Blues. Unfortunately, on a squad packed with goal-scoring capabilities, Sturridge has seen less playing time than he would normally prefer.

A move to Liverpool could be an amicable one for both Chelsea and Liverpool as it would afford Sturridge significant opportunity to display his talent and it would rid Chelsea of a moderately priced player not seeing enough reps.

Ultimately, if Rodgers is prepared to offer Sturridge a starring role, he could end up being a key piece in a revival that sends Liverpool back to the Champions League.