Liverpool Transfer News: Blockbuster Deals Eyed by Brendan Rodgers in January
Liverpool chose to reinvest the funds gained from Luis Suarez's sale to Barcelona by strengthening a number of areas, but 2015 could see the Reds eye one big-money deal that changes their prospects.
Those brought in by Brendan Rodgers have performed with varying success, and the likes of Lazar Markovic, Alberto Moreno and Dejan Lovren haven't rose to the Anfield challenge as Rodgers may have hoped.
Looking to turn their season around, the Merseysiders are now being linked with a different class of player, and it's suggested Liverpool are looking at a selection of blockbuster bids for both January and further ahead.
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Iker Casillas
Real Madrid's goalkeeper situation has been something of a carousel of late, and after the duopoly of Iker Casillas and Diego Lopez reigned last season, it's once again suggested the former could leave Los Blancos.
Liverpool are among the clubs said to be interested in cutting a deal, with David Wright of the Daily Express writing that a £4 million offer is in the offing.
Casillas has been at the Bernabeu for his entire career, having first joined Real Madrid's academy as a youth in 1990, but is now beginning to cause concern after a run of mistake-laden form under Carlo Ancelotti.
Wright explains that Real's No. 1 is frustrated at present, and Simon Mignolet has shown his own share of lapses since moving from Sunderland last year. TalkSPORT's Tim Collins spoke of Casillas' dip in form during Saturday's 2-1 win over Malaga:
At present, Brad Jones sits on Rodgers' bench as backup to Mignolet, and it's possible that Casillas could be brought in not only as second option to the Belgian, but as a replacement.
The Spanish veteran's reputation has taken a turn for the worse in recent years, but Rodgers may have a cut-price bargain on his hands, should he be able to coax previous form out of the 33-year-old.
Isco
It's been revealed that Liverpool would need to pay a fee of £64 million if they were to prise Isco from the Bernabeu in 2015.
That's according to the Daily Express (h/t Daily Star's Jonathan Green), which reports that Arsenal are also chasing the Spanish playmaker known to be a favourite amongst the supporters in Madrid.
Real Madrid TV present Phil Kitromilides quotes Ancelotti in stating Spain's appreciation for the midfielder, who has at times been forced to settle for a fringe role at the Bernabeu, despite his obvious talent:
Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC provides further quotes from Los Blancos' chief:
Philippe Coutinho has impressed as Rodgers' attacking midfielder of choice for stretches of his Liverpool career, but Isco could provide an entirely different class of lynchpin should the Reds choose to chase his signature.
It's a massive offer to consider, given the figures involved, but with their attack still out of sorts, the Reds may decide it's a lack of supply that's harming the success of Mario Balotelli and company.
In that vein of thinking, Isco would be a tremendous recruit to provide increased ammunition, but Rodgers would need to be sure of his priorities before choosing to commit.
There's also the small matter of whether or not the Real star would be willing to give up his Spanish setting for a club far from guaranteed to be playing Champions League football, which is no small feat in itself.
Yohan Cabaye
Yohan Cabaye will complete a Premier League comeback in 2015 if speculation is to be believed, and Liverpool are among the sides hoping to hand the midfielder his English return.
Former Newcastle United star Cabaye is out of sorts at Paris Saint-Germain, and Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express reports that Liverpool will offer a £19 million escape route in January.
PSG are once again contending to be crowned Ligue 1 champions, but with Thiago Motta, Marco Verratti, Javier Pastore and Adrien Rabiot as competition, Cabaye would have an easier time of things at Anfield.
France manager Didier Deschamps hinted this past week that he might like to see his charge performing to a higher standard, according to Telefoot (h/t Get French Football):
Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard have sat as the most consistent pieces in Rodgers' midfield for two seasons now, but a recent drop in quality is causing concern.
Cabaye would offer an amicable alternative to the Liverpool icon, and if Rodgers is to fill the void that Gerrard once thrived in with such success, PSG's out-of-favour maestro may provide him with an opportunity.
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