Liverpool Transfer News: Big-Name Forwards Rumoured to Be on Reds' Radar

After hammering in 101 goals during the 2013/14 season, it feels peculiar to brand Liverpool as being a little toothless. But that’s exactly what the Reds were in their recent 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United, and indeed, during a host of their early-season encounters.

Stu Forster/Getty Images

So it is no surprise that despite spending in excess of £100 million during the summer transfer window, manager Brendan Rodgers has been linked with some forward players who could help Liverpool rediscover the forensic incision that was a patent of their play last season. And among them are some household names that would do plenty to lift spirits around Anfield should they come off.

Here’s the very latest on a couple of forwards that have been linked with a potential move to Anfield and an England midfielder who could be available for a bargain premium in January.

Marco Reus on Brink of Borussia Dortmund Exit

Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images

The German looks set to seek pastures new in the near future, with a clause in his contract set to be activated at the end of the campaign that’ll allow him to leave the Westfalenstadion. According to Peter Staunton of Goal.com, Bayern Munich are the front-runners, but Liverpool remain very interested in the player.

Dortmund have endured a difficult start to the Bundesliga season, but after overcoming injury, Reus looks to be in fine form. He scored a excellent goal for Jurgen Klopp’s side against Bayern last time out.

Bayern’s CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told German outlet Sport Bild (h/t Staunton’s piece) that he was aware of the clause in Reus’ contract: "We know that he has a lot of quality. And we know his clause. For us a young German national player of such quality is interesting. But I do not want to make unrest in Dortmund."

Lennart Preiss/Getty Images

But Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke expects the player will not leave, telling Sport Bild (h/t Staunton): "Marco [Reus] feels very comfortable at Dortmund and we feel comfortable with him. He has an even closer relationship with the club and the city than Mario Gotze did and I expect him to stay."

If the German champions are keen on making Reus their next major acquisition, then Liverpool face a real uphill struggle if they’re to get the player to Anfield. The 25-year-old would provide the Reds with the cutting edge that they’ve been sorely lacking so far this season, but would a young German player be able to resist the lure of the Allianz Arena and the prospect of challenging for the game's biggest trophies?

Nonetheless, if Reus did fancy a crack at the Premier League, you suspect Liverpool wouldn’t be the only side interested in his services. With the Reds likely to face a battle to make it into the Champions League this season, you suspect that at this juncture, the player will have plenty more desirable options.

Reds to Outbid Arsenal for Pedro

David Ramos/Getty Images

The Barcelona winger’s standing at the Camp Nou remains unclear after the Catalonians acquired Luis Suarez, but Liverpool could be set to benefit. According to Spanish outlet Fichajes.net (h/t Metro), the Reds are willing to best Arsenal in the race for Pedro, with Barca reportedly willing to sell for £25 million.

Here’s a glimpse at some of the qualities the Spanish flyer could potentially bring to Anfield:

Pedro has been a longstanding fixture of this Barcelona team, but the arrival of players like Suarez and Neymar looks set to push him down the pecking order. He’s an excellent player that could do an astute job for a top side though, and his blistering pace, tricky dribbling and eye for goal would make him a wonderful addition for the Reds.

Paul White/Associated Press

But with Barcelona serving a prolonged transfer ban, can they afford to let a player of Pedro’s quality leave without delving into the market to bring in a replacement? Manager Luis Enrique has blooded some young talent this season, but it’s vital some experienced players are kept in situ to give the squad some balance. With that in mind, don't anticipate any movement on this deal any time soon.

Fabian Delph Set for Cut-Price Move

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Liverpool could be set to land the Aston Villa midfielder in a bargain switch, as he continues to stall on a potential new contract. Fabian Delph’s current deal expires at the end of the season, and according to Dean Jones of the Daily Mirror, the Reds have been monitoring the situation regarding the player very closely.

Delph has impressed plenty with his dynamic midfield displays in the claret and blue strip, and with Villa struggling down in the lower reaches of the table, it seems as though the player is looking for a move to a club challenging at the top end of the Premier League. Indeed, his performances have been to a level that’s seen him impress for England, too, as noted here by OptaJoe:

For a Liverpool midfield that’s lacked a little bit of bite, his all-action style would make a positive impact. On occasion, the Reds have been a little lackadaisical in that area of the field, and with Steven Gerrard’s influence beginning to wane, the 24-year-old’s industry would have Rodgers purring.

Delph is left-sided, too, which is something that would afford the midfield some desirable and understated balance.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Paul Lambert won’t want to risk losing his star man for nothing in the summer, so it’d be no surprise to see him cash in during the January window if there’s little intention on Delph’s part when it comes to signing a new deal. If he does, a move to Merseyside would be ideal for the player and the club.