Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Xherdan Shaqiri, Glen Johnson, More

Liverpool's 2014-15 season continues to be filled with ups and downs following one of the busiest summers in club history, with a multitude of transfers completed for young talent in order to offset the loss of star striker Luis Suarez.

Some early struggles were always expected, but manager Brendan Rodgers finds himself in hot water after a series of disappointing results that has seen the club drop to the 11th spot in the Premier League standings, well below the European places.

The season is still early, however, and there's plenty of time for the Reds' young and talented team to jell into the cohesive unit Rodgers envisioned. The January transfer window could prove helpful as well, so here are the latest transfer stories coming out of Anfield.

Bayern Munich Prepare for Xherdan Shaqiri Offers

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

The Daily Star's Bruce Archer knows Bayern Munich expect plenty of clubs to come calling for star winger Xherdan Shaqiri in January, as a transfer for the 23-year-old looks ever more likely.

The 23-year-old has made just three Bundesliga starts all season, per WhoScored.com, and with the Bavarians once again dominating the competition, opportunities to prove to Pep Guardiola he deserves to be a regular starter will be scarce.

According to Bild (h/t FourFourTwo's Alex Chaffer), the tricky forward could be available for €20 million:

Shaqiri recently acknowledged the Reds made a play for him during the summer, and in an interview with Blick (h/t London Evening Standard's Tom Collomosse), the youngster seemed open to the idea of moving to Anfield:

"

After the World Cup I sensed it was better for me to try something else and I wasn't short of offers. Liverpool showed the greatest interest but Bayern decided not to let me go and in the end there was nothing I could do.

I have to get on with it – we will meet again in the winter and discuss my situation.

"

Shaqiri scored six goals in just 10 league starts last season, via WhoScored.com, and his knack for finding the back of the net would make for a very welcome addition to Rodgers' squad.

His pace and explosiveness also make him an excellent fit in a wide role, where he could add some much-needed creativity to the Reds' attacking third.

Glen Johnson Offered New Deal?

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

The Daily Mirror's John Cross knows the Reds have offered much-maligned full-back Glen Johnson a new contract, halving his current wages to just £60,000 per week.

The England international's current deal will end during the summer, and he's widely expected to become a free agent. Johnson is often the butt of jokes among fans for his apparent regression, and Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez got in on the fun when teammate Javier Manquillo complimented him earlier this week:

Nathaniel Clyne was given the start for England against Slovenia, the latest setback in a season that has seen plenty for Johnson. While Rodgers undoubtedly would want to keep the veteran defender around, this contract offer indicates he too no longer sees him as a long-term option.

The offer is a nice gesture, but there will undoubtedly be clubs willing to pay Johnson more as a free agent during the summer, hoping he can recapture his form once he leaves Anfield.

Fans desperate to see Rodgers give more chances to one of the youngsters may not be fond of the idea of Johnson possibly sticking around any longer on a reduced salary, but don't expect the full-back to put pen to paper on this offer.

January Move for Jackson Martinez?

Alvaro Barrientos/Associated Press

Sky Sports reported on Tuesday that Daniel Sturridge has suffered yet another injury setback, leading to plenty of speculation regarding a possible January move for an extra attacker:

One of the players mentioned is FC Porto's Jackson Martinez, with the Daily Express' Anthony Chapman claiming the Reds will attempt to convince the Portuguese to sell with a £30 million offer.

Martinez has been very good for Porto in the past several seasons, scoring at a high rate in the Portuguese league. He was consistently passed over during the 2014 World Cup, however, indicating Colombian manager Jose Pekerman did not trust him.

His scoring form in the Champions League also raises a potential red flag, as he had never bagged more than three goals in the tournament until this season. He has four in 2014-15, including qualifiers, via WhoScored.com.

The 28-year-old is an athletic poacher with a strong build, but while Porto have an excellent reputation for unearthing South American talent, Martinez doesn't appear to be of the same caliber as compatriot Radamel Falcao, for instance.

Martinez is an excellent striker, but £30 million is silly money for a player who has a history of underperforming in the Champions League and couldn't nail down a starting position in a Colombian side that traveled to Brazil without the aforementioned Falcao.

A transfer is certainly an option, but with Divock Origi waiting in the wings, the Reds simply won't blow that kind of money on a 28-year-old with limited upside.

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