Liverpool Transfer News: Wilfried Bony and Ezequiel Lavezzi Rumours Fuelled

Swansea City Chairman Huw Jenkins has hinted that Liverpool target Wilfried Bony could be sold by the club in the January transfer window, insisting that the Welsh outfit will consider offers for the forward.

The burly frontman has been in exceptional form so far this season, and, according to Paul Gorst of the Mirror, the Reds and Manchester City are big admirers of his talents. Jenkins has insisted no club has been in touch about the 26-year-old, but his words won't have filled Swans fans with too much hope, per Gorst:

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The one thing I’ve learned over time is never say never in football. But officially at the moment we haven’t had any contact from Manchester City or anyone else about Wilfried.

We are in the same position as any other club. Things are as they are. No one wants to lose players and if you are to lose players it has to be for the right offer.

Bigger clubs than us have to deal with that – it’s the nature of football these days. We are realistic about that.

"

Stu Forster/Getty Images

Liverpool are in desperate need of a forward player after the failings of both Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli so far this season.

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Brendan Rodgers has resorted to playing Raheem Sterling at the point of the team’s attack, and although the youngster has done an admirable job, the offensive side of this team has been poor, per Squawka Football:

On paper, Bony would be a perfect foil for a player such as Daniel Sturridge. His physical qualities are rightly revered as a cornerstone of his playing style, but the Swansea man has a delicate touch and a keen eye for a pass. Most encouragingly for the Reds, however, is that the Ivorian knows where the back of the net is. 

His late equaliser for the Swans against Queens Park Rangers meant he got 2015 off to a wonderful start. As noted here by InsideWorldFootball, 2014 wasn't a bad 12 months for Bony either:

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Top Premier League scorers of 2014: Bony 20 (38 matches) Aguero 18 (23) Y Toure 17 (34) Rooney 16 (28) Dzeko 14 (29) pic.twitter.com/3N2LW1dvWZ

— InsideWorldFootball (@insidewldftball) December 31, 2014"

If the Reds are looking for a sharp, tricky forward to fill the vacuous hole left by Luis Suarez, then Bony isn't the man.

A player such as Ezequiel Lavezzi—a forward recently linked with Liverpool, per Hannah Duncan of Metro—would be a better stylistic match in that respect, and the Reds have potentially been handed a boost in his pursuit.

Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images

That's after Aurelio De Laurentis, the president of Lavezzi's former club Napoli, ruled out a potential move for the Argentina man in an interview with Il Mattino, via Football Italia:

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We're fully covered in attack, and in a few months we're getting [Lorenzo] Insigne back too.

Let's not forget that Lavezzi makes €4.5m a year and, above all else, that he was the one who wanted to leave Napoli in the first place.

He made that decision in 2011, when we asked him to stay for another year. But in 2012 he moved to Paris Saint-Germain.

"

Riccardo De Luca/Associated Press

Here's a look at what Lavezzi could potentially bring to Anfield:

If Lavezzi is indeed available for £8 million, as noted in Duncan's piece, that would be excellent business for the Reds. He may be 29 years old, but Lavezzi remains a classy operator and a player who would add some critical incisiveness to Liverpool’s forward forays. His work rate is admirable too, something that's been scarce for Rodgers' side in advanced areas this season.

Bleacher Report French football expert Andrew Gibney thinks the forward could easily be sold by Paris-Saint Germain in the January window:

Ultimately, the decision on where to turn rests with Rodgers. Bony is well acquainted with the robust nature of English football, and he's a striker who would guarantee goals for the Reds. Whether he’s a player who fits in with the manager’s principles remains to be seen. If not, Lavezzi represents a cheaper and astute short-term solution.