Liverpool Transfer News: Shock Demba Ba Bid Reported, Mario Balotelli Latest

Liverpool have reportedly made a shock bid to sign Demba Ba from Besiktas, according to Turkish newspaper AMK (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror).

Ba, who only exited the Premier League last summer, is also said to be gaining the interest of AC Milan and Monaco, per the same report. The Senegalese striker has netted 12 goals in 14 appearances across the Turkish Super Lig and Europa League this season, per WhoScored.com, finding the kind of form which made him such a hit at Newcastle.

Of course, Ba was the man who capitalised on Steven Gerrard's infamous slip last season. The captain unfortunately gave away possession to hand Chelsea victory at Anfield, a result which would later stop the Reds grabbing their first Premier League title win.

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Although Ba was just doing his job, it's difficult to suggest Liverpool fans would welcome him with open arms. Gerrard is forced to listen to chanting of the striker's name wherever he visits now, highlighting how Ba is synonymous with the Reds' failure.

He proved himself clinical with West Ham and the Magpies, before failing to take advantage of his opportunities at Chelsea. Last year's five league goals, recorded by WhoScored, weren't enough for Jose Mourinho to keep the 29-year-old.

Liverpool were linked with a £30 million move for Porto's Jackson Martinez, but the Colombian striker's agent has denied he will exit in January.

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"He is happy," said Henrique Pompeu, per Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star. "He wants to be champion in Portugal and go far in the Champions League. There is plenty of talk, but he has an agreement with Porto and will respect it. He won't leave in January." 

Brendan Rodgers certainly needs to address his attacking options. The Liverpool boss has confirmed he won't sell Mario Balotelli in January, per Joe Short of the Daily Express, despite the Italian's poor form and controversial antics.

Balotelli is yet to net a Premier League goal and has scored just two in cup competitions. His lack of energy has drained Liverpool's play, so it's no coincidence the club has started winning since his recent spell on the sidelines.

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Granted, Rickie Lambert has only struck once in the domestic division, but he is able to intelligently hold the ball up and effectively fulfill the centre-forward role. This has allowed Raheem Sterling to start producing once more—with two assists in three matches, per WhoScored—after he posted the same number across 11 prior showings.

Plenty of investment is still needed, however, as former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore recently told B/R UK's Ryan Bailey:

Despite lingering in eighth, the Reds have put together two consecutive Premier League victories. A third against Sunderland will provide major confidence heading into the must-win Champions League tie with Basel on a night which could define Liverpool's season.

Rodgers' future plans hinge on whether or not his team continue to qualify for Europe's elite competition. Right now, his men need to work extremely hard to prove last term wasn't a one-off, and that the spectre of Luis Suarez has been banished.