Liverpool Transfer News: World-Class Strikers Targeted by Brendan Rodgers

Having scored just seven goals in eight games at Anfield this season, it’s no surprise that Liverpool have been linked with a host of forwards capable of adding some much-needed incisiveness to their toiling attacking forays. 

Daniel Sturridge’s perpetual injury concerns and Mario Balotelli’s inability to keep himself out of the headlines have quickly made Brendan Rodgers’ January priority acquiring a striker. And Reds fans will no doubt be intrigued by some of the stellar names that have been touted as potential targets in the midseason window.

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According to Marc Williams of the Daily Star, Liverpool may be a step closer to landing Colombian international Jackson Martinez. The powerful Porto man has a release clause in his current contract of £28 million, and according to Williams’ piece, the Reds are now the favourites to land the striker after AC Milan were priced out of a move.

As quoted in the aforementioned article, the player’s agent, Peppino Tirri, told Calcio News that the Rossoneri cannot afford the player, and he also confirmed Liverpool’s interest:

"

I think it's very difficult [for AC Milan]. Porto want the release clause to be paid and they don't intend to budge.

I can confirm that Liverpool want the player.

"

Martinez has been in prolific form during the early stages of the season, netting 10 goals in 12 games in Liga Sagres, per WhoScored. But a reported fee just shy of £30 million does seem somewhat excessive for a player who has never played in one of the top European leagues and is 28 years old. With that in mind, perhaps the Reds will target a younger forward with long-term gains in mind.

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That could well be West Bromwich Albion’s Saido Berahino, and according to Rob Shepherd of the MailOnline, the Reds will go head-to-head with Tottenham to acquire the player’s services. The 21-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough season under the tutelage of Alan Irvine and at the time of writing is the joint-leading English goalscorer in the Premier League, per WhoScored:

Stylistically, Berahino would add a streak of pace that has been in short supply during the early stages of this campaign. Without Sturridge in the team, Liverpool have relied squarely on Raheem Sterling to afford them a direct edge, and while Berahino could potentially cost a reported £25 million, he’s certainly a player that would add a refreshing dynamic to Liverpool’s forward line.

It’s something Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo commented on during their recent moribund stalemate against Sunderland at Anfield:

Ultimately, it depends on what direction Rodgers wants his attack to go in. Martinez would add a burly and much more refined presence at the sharp end of the pitch for an excessive premium. Berahino may be far from the finished article, but he’d be a better fit for the blistering counter-attacking style that Liverpool deployed last year.

Either player would do plenty to spruce up this Liverpool forward line, but it’s certainly debatable as to whether either is, or potentially will be, a world-class player.

Unfortunately for the Reds, that calibre of talent looks as though it could be out of their reach at the moment, something that’s been compounded by reports suggesting Marco Reus looks set for a move elsewhere despite previous links with the Merseysiders, per David Wright of the Express.

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According to Steve Bates of the Sunday People (h/t the Mirror), Chelsea have surged to the head of the collection of clubs interested in the German international forward, who has a £20 million release clause in his current contract. Here’s a look at why some of Europe’s finest are interested in the Borussia Dortmund man:

If a move for Reus was going to happen for the Reds, you suspect it would have come in the summer. His release clause may not have been activated yet, but Liverpool were riding high on the back of a phenomenal 2013/14 season and flush with cash from the sale of Luis Suarez.

He may have cost a little more than the quoted figure of £20 million, but the Reds would have had a world-class talent on their books before the battle commences for his signature in the coming months. Unfortunately for Rodgers, Liverpool’s chances of bringing the Dortmund man to Liverpool look to be dead in the water.