Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Edinson Cavani, Martin Montoya and More

Liverpool are in desperate need of new recruits in January in order to save what has, thus far, been a terrible season in the Premier League.

They currently sit eighth in the English top flight having lost six games already this term, the same amount as in their entire 2013-14 campaign when they finished second. 

Boss Brendan Rodgers is struggling with misfiring strikers—in the absence of the departed Luis Suarez and the injured Daniel Sturridge—and a weak defence.

Here are the latest reports surrounding Liverpool's targets for the January transfer window, which can't come soon enough for the Reds.

Edinson Cavani

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Liverpool are reportedly set to face a challenge from fierce rivals Manchester United in their attempt to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani in the new year, with the Red Devils also apparently set to go in for the Uruguayan in January, per James Orr in the Independent.

Orr reports that United are lining up a double bid worth £80 million for Cavani and Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus in the new year, with Liverpool having already been rumoured as targeting the former Napoli man, who is apparently unhappy in Paris, per Chisanga Malata in the Daily Star. 

According to Malata's report, Liverpool—along with Arsenal—are preparing bids of £50 million for the 27-year-old striker who has 12 goals in 20 Ligue 1 and Champions League appearances this season, per WhoScored.com.

Cavani is undoubtedly one of the best strikers around, and he may well be open to a move, as he is often reported to be dissatisfied with constantly playing in the shadow of PSG's star man, Zlatan Ibrahimovich, per ESPN analyst Craig Burley:

Cavani is exactly the calibre of striker Liverpool need to fill the gaping hole left by Suarez's exit, which has been inadequately filled—to say the least—by summer purchases Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert.

He will no doubt cost the Anfield outfit a lot of money, especially if there is strong competition for his signature, but Liverpool's season could be vastly improved by the addition of a reliable striker, and Cavani could well be the answer.

Martin Montoya

If Liverpool's strikers are currently struggling to score goals, their defenders are doing a similarly poor job in keeping them out, the Daily Mail providing a somewhat damning verdict on their form this season:

Hence, Rodgers looks set to go shopping for back-line reinforcements in January and long-term target Martin Montoya of Barcelona seems readily available.

The Spanish full-back has struggled to make the first team at the Camp Nou, and his agent, Juan de Dios Carrasco, says he will leave the club in January, per Ed Malyon in the Mirror:

"

Montoya will 100 per cent leave Barcelona in the winter window. Right now we just want to find the best club for Martin, so he can continue his progression. Germany, Italy and England all have clubs that are already pulling strings to sign him.

"

With Glen Johnson enduring a torrid season at full-back and likely to depart at the end of the term when his contract expires, per Simon Jones in the Daily Mail, a new addition in the position would be welcome.

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The 23-year-old Montoya certainly has talent and can play on either flank with his strong passing ability and strength in the air likely attractive to Rodgers.

Liverpool need to do something about their defence—and fast. Thus with Montoya looking for an out in January, the Reds would do well to snap up the talented youngster.

Luca Antonelli

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Another potential defensive option who could be a useful addition to the Liverpool squad is Genoa skipper Luca Antonelli.

The 27-year-old left-back has led his side to joint third in the Serie A table after 13 matches, in a defensive unit that has conceded 12 goals.

It seems that the Italian international has his eyes set on a move to Anfield one day as he has expressed a desire to make the switch to Liverpool, per football writer Adam Digby:

A strong defensive left-back, Antonelli could certainly bring some authority and experience to Liverpool's all-too-often ramshackle back line.

Antonelli's good positional play and versatility—he can also play in the midfield—could make him an attractive proposition, and it seems he would likely be open to the move.

Rodgers desperately needs defensive additions, as it is not just this term in which they have been poor—they conceded 50 goals last season but were saved by their fine attack. That has not been the case so far in the 2014-15 campaign.