Liverpool Transfer News: Karim Benzema Bid Looms, Lucas Vazquez Rumours Emerge

Liverpool are "set to move" for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, according to Spanish publication Fichajes (h/t Jamie Sanderson of the Metro).

Sanderson's report suggests "Madrid are open to selling the striker," with a transfer fee of £34.5 million touted. Although the Frenchman has remained undroppable for Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid's recent run of poor results perhaps add extra weight to the story.

The European champions were booed off the pitch during Tuesday's 4-3 Champions League round-of-16 defeat to Schalke despite progressing to the quarter-finals via a 5-4 aggregate score. Benzema rounded the goalkeeper and finished in classy style during the match, underlining his importance to Ancelotti's attacking trident, which is also made up of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

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Benzema's quality is easy to overlook at a club like Madrid, where match-winners are stationed all over the pitch.

He could become the spearhead of Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool attack, though. The 27-year-old recently admitted he has aspirations of winning the Ballon d'Or, something he is unlikely to do until he is handed centre stage.

"It's an objective,"  Benzema told former Barcelona striker Sonny Anderson in an interview for beIN Sports (h/t AS). "All players dream of that. It's something I think about, it's always there in the corner of my mind. I didn't think about it much before because I wasn't at the top level."

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Although a move to Liverpool would be gutsy—Benzema would be exchanging regular silverware for a scrap to maintain a Champions League place—the Reds play to his strengths.

He could enjoy a hold-up role in Rodgers' 3-4-2-1 formation, bringing the likes of Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge into play. Liverpool need a tall, powerful presence to attack crosses inside the box, something Benzema would naturally provide.

B/R UK's Sam Tighe doesn't expect any major attacking additions during the summer, however:

Liverpool are also said to be hunting Madrid winger Lucas Vazquez, who is currently enjoying a profitable loan spell with Espanyol, per Sanderson. It is suggested the Merseyside club have been "following him closely," with Spanish newspaper Sport (h/t Sanderson) reporting a £7 million bid has been lodged.

The winger's qualities are highlighted below:

Rodgers' ambition in the transfer market may be determined by whether Liverpool land Champions League football. His squad couldn't cope with the demands of Europe this season and need to add quality across the board to make a splash in the elite competition.

Liverpool are just two points off fourth in the Premier League, a position that will make them an extremely attractive prospect at the end of the season. It seems unlikely Benzema would opt to join a club who don't regularly compete for titles, but the Reds' exciting, attack-minded football could provide a perfect fit if he's ever tempted.