Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Andre Schurrle, Martin Montoya and More

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers bought over half a new team this summer, but he's apparently far from finished spending the Anfield club's money. Rodgers is still keen to pursue fresh options to help Liverpool recover from the sale of star striker Luis Suarez.

One of his top targets could be Chelsea man Andre Schurrle. The Reds are reportedly ready to pay £25 million for the Germany international, per Daily Express reporter Anthony Chapman:

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Schurrle linked up with the Blues in 2013 from Bayer Leverkusen for £18m, but has only found the back of the net 11 times in 54 appearances, and reports claim that his manager is running out of patience.

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Numerous European giants have been linked with bids for the 24-year-old, including Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid, but it is understood that Premier League duo Liverpool and Tottenham have joined the hunt for Schurrle's signature.

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Schurrle has been a glorified super sub during most of his time in west London. But the pacy forward could be much more in Rodgers' style of play.

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At their best, Liverpool love to attack between the lines at speed. Schurrle is quick, versatile and intelligent enough to thrive, either from wide or through the middle, in this type of game.

Of course, that may not be enough to justify the Reds paying over the odds for one of Chelsea's bit-part players, especially if it means helping the Blues make a profit in the process.

Fans of both clubs are reportedly already unhappy at the prospect of Schurrle swapping Stamford Bridge for Anfield, per Daily Express writer Jamie Anderson.

Perhaps Liverpool fans would be more impressed if the club finally agreed a deal for long-term target Keita Balde Diao. The Lazio striker is again linked to Anfield, this time by Italian newspaper Il Messagero (h/t Liverpool Echo): "The front man, who can also play out wide, is one of Europe's most exciting youngsters - and the media believe the Reds wanted him in the summer. However, Arsenal are also said to be interested."

Liverpool's need for the 19-year-old could be far greater than that of the Gunners. After all, Rodgers' attack has been blighted by injury woes suffered by the prolific Daniel Sturridge.

It hasn't helped that marquee summer acquisition Mario Balotelli has flopped. The temperamental striker is now set to be sidelined with a hamstring injury, according to Daily Mirror reporter Liam Prenderville:

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Mario Balotelli has pulled out of the Italy squad with a hamstring injury.

The Liverpool striker picked up the problem in training earlier this week, although team doctors were confident he would recover in time for the Euro 2016 qualifier with Croatia on Sunday.

However, his condition hasn't improved and Balotelli will now return to Melwood for treatment.

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That's going to put a strain on Liverpool's already-stretched reserves up front. The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate after on-loan Belgium international Divock Origi denied he'll cut his stay at Lille short, and will instead join Liverpool this summer as originally intended:

With only a brittle Sturridge, an erratic Balotelli and an ageing Rickie Lambert to call on, Rodgers should be keen to step up his interest in Balde.

Further back, Rodgers also knows he needs defensive reinforcements. One player sure to appeal is Barcelona youngster Martin Montoya.

Liverpool are apparently keen on a loan deal for the 23-year-old, per Catalan publication Sport (h/t Liverpool Echo):

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Elsewhere, Catalan newspaper Sport believe Barcelona defender Martin Montoya could move to Anfield on loan in January.

Barca have received interest from AC Milan, Inter Milan and Bayer Leverkusen for the right back, but now Sport believe the Reds are in the hunt.

The 23-year-old was apparently on Brendan Rodgers' radar last season.

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Like most Barca academy products, Montoya is a skilled and composed player in possession. But he's also a capable defender, one able to play centrally as well as on the right.

However, it's the latter area where the Reds would use him. The Anfield club is far from set at right-back, where uninspiring veteran Glen Johnson has held sway for too long.

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The 30-year-old is expected to leave Merseyside this summer once his current contract expires, per Andy Hunter of The Guardian:

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Glen Johnson has indicated he is approaching the end of his Liverpool career having admitted that talks on a contract extension at Anfield have fallen 'very quiet'.

The 30-year-old will become a free agent next summer and is able to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club from 1 January, having so far resisted the offer of a 12-month extension to his £120,000-a-week deal from Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group.

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Letting Johnson walk and agreeing a deal for Montoya is Liverpool's best option. The young Catalan could join Alberto Moreno to give the Reds a pair of quality young players at key positions.

The problems without Suarez aren't going away for Liverpool. Rodgers is still scrambling for solutions but is beginning to look like a man lacking answers.

But even if he can't solve the dilemma up front, adding a classy player at the back would represent a significant boost this January.