Liverpool Transfer Rumours: Radamel Falcao Key to Karim Benzema Hopes

Liverpool are lining up a summer bid for Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, with Los Blancos reportedly prepared to sell the Frenchman as they eye Manchester United's on-loan striker Radamel Falcao.

According to Fichajes.net (h/t the Express' Charles Perrin), Liverpool are prepared to splash out £35 million on Benzema, a long-term target for the Reds, who could adequately replace the departed Luis Suarez up front.

However, the success of Liverpool's attempt to sign the 27-year-old rest on Real's interest in Falcao, with reports suggesting Los Blancos could use funds raised from the sale of their current first-choice frontman to assist with the purchase of the Colombian.

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Benzema would be a brilliant addition to the Liverpool setup, and his goalscoring abilities and link-up play mean he has the potential to be a huge asset to a team lacking world-class depth up front.

The former Lyon man—in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo—often goes unappreciated in a Real shirt, but his contribution this season, 13 goals and eight assists in La Liga, per WhoScored.com, has been immense. His record at the very highest level is also impressive, per Squawka:

Benzema is contracted at the Bernabeu until 2019 and will not come cheap, with the mooted £35 million price tag possibly an undervaluation.

Talk of his value only comes into play if Real are genuinely prepared to let him go, which would be a significant development, considering his importance to the team as both a goalscorer and supplier.

Similarly unlikely is the idea that Real are looking to bring in Falcao, with the Monaco striker currently underwhelming on his season-long loan with the Red Devils.

He has scored just four goals in over 1,000 minutes of Premier League football this season, per WhoScored, hardly a record that will have the European champions banging his door down.

The 29-year-old Falcao looks a far cry from the devastating presence he was in his time at Atletico Madrid, with the serious knee injury he suffered in January 2014 seemingly having taken its toll on his sharpness and mobility.

However, B/R UK's Jonathan Johnson suggests that a Bernabeu switch for Falcao is not completely out of the question, citing the potentially key influence of super agent Jorge Mendes:

Liverpool were heavily linked with a move for Benzema in the wake of Suarez's departure to Barcelona, but they failed to sign him up—Benzema signed a new contract with Real—and brought in Mario Balotelli instead. Despite the Italian's subsequent failure to perform, the Reds' form is certainly on the up.

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However, Liverpool could still miss out on a Champions League place this term, which could prove detrimental to any hopes of claiming Benzema's signature.

There is no doubt another top-class striker—to go alongside Daniel Sturridge—is needed at Liverpool for them to regain their title-challenging form of 2013-14, but signing Benzema looks to be a long shot.