Liverpool Transfer News: Jan Vertonghen Eyed, Mattia Destro Latest

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is reportedly eyeing a move for Tottenham centre-back Jan Vertonghen in January to bolster the Reds' currently underperforming defensive options.

The 27-year-old's discussions with Spurs bosses over an improved contract stalled earlier this year, per Sami Mokbel of the Mail Online, and he is now apparently set to manoeuvre a move away from the north London club with Liverpool eager to sign him, per Rob Shepherd of the Mail Online.  

However, Vertonghen's comments after Spurs' goalless draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday seem to indicate he may be set to stay at Tottenham for some time yet, per the Press Association's Simon Peach:

Liverpool are certainly in need of some added strength at the back, with summer signing Dejan Lovren having performed poorly since his move from Southampton—a major issue for Rodgers as the Croatian was brought in to steady an already weak defence.

Belgium international Vertonghen is versatile, with the ability to also play at left-back, but he is potentially too inconsistent to truly bring greater strength to Liverpool's defence.

Indeed, he often exhibits a lack of authority, as he did in Spurs' 3-0 loss to Chelsea on Wednesday when shrugged out of the way by Loic Remy for the Blues' final goal, per football writer Miguel Delaney:

The Reds defence has been weak for some time now, with last season's second-place finish coming because of their blistering attack; the back line let in 50 goals during the term.

With Luis Suarez having departed to Barcelona and Daniel Sturridge injured, Liverpool's defensive frailties have become alarmingly apparent as they no longer have the quality in attack to get them out of jail.

Rodgers needs to fix things soon or else the Anfield outfit's chances of finishing in the top four will be minimal.

However, with his attacking lineup having been weakened over the summer, Rodgers also needs some reinforcements upfront.

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His currently fit strikers have been largely awful this term; Rickie Lambert has scored only once in the league while Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli have yet to find the back of the net.

The Reds have been reported as targeting Roma's Mattia Destro, but they now look set to face competition for the 23-year-old from Arsenal who are supposedly leading the race for his signature, per Chisanga Malata in the Daily Star.

Liverpool could do with Destro's quality finishing; he has bagged four goals in Serie A this season, including an absolute stunner against Hellas Verona back in September, per B/R UK:

But if the latest reports are accurate, Rodgers and Liverpool may have to look elsewhere to bolster their strike options; other possible names to whom they have been linked include Porto's Jackson Martinez and West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino, per Shepherd's piece. 

Liverpool's chances of competing for the league title in 2014-15, as they did last term, have effectively already gone out of the window as they now sit 15 points back from league-leaders Chelsea in ninth.

However, despite their poor form, they are still only five points from the top four and astute signings in January—including a top defender and a goalscoring striker—could yet see them grab a Champions League qualification spot come the season's end.

Stats via WhoScored.com unless otherwise noted.