Liverpool Transfer News: Radamel Falcao Price Slashed, Inigo Martinez Rumours

Monaco are reportedly prepared to slash the asking price of Manchester United loanee Radamel Falcao in an attempt to offload the Colombian in the summer.

The former Atletico Madrid star has underwhelmed for United during his season-long loan in the Premier League, scoring just four times in 25 appearances, per WhoScored.com.

United have the option to purchase Falcao outright for £43 million, but they are now attempting to negotiate more favourable terms, per Ben Jefferson in the Express.

If United do not take him permanently, or for another loan spell, Monaco will reportedly listen to offers of as low as £20 million from elsewhere. Liverpool and Chelsea having been rumoured as interested, per Jefferson.

Liverpool have struggled to replicate the form of last season in the Premier League this term, having lost the goals of Luis Suarez to Barcelona, as noted by Bleacher Report's Guillem Balague:

The Reds may be prepared to take a risk on the 29-year-old Falcao at £20 million, given his previous excellence at Atleti and Porto.

However, it would be a big risk, as Falcao has shown few signs that he has what it takes to excel in the Premier League, barely recording a shot on target in recent games, per WhoScored:

Liverpool panic bought Mario Balotelli last summer in what turned out to be a bad transfer move. Rodgers should avoid doing the same with Falcao this time around.

Inigo Martinez Targeted 

David Ramos/Getty Images

The Reds need to improve in several areas if they are to challenge for the title again, with additional strength needed in defence as well as attack.

Real Sociedad centre-back Inigo Martinez is reportedly on Liverpool's radar, with the club having scouted him as La Real lost 2-0 to Barcelona on Saturday, per Sport.

The 23-year-old Spaniard had a decent game against La Liga's champions elect, per Bleacher Report's Karl Matchett, and he is a fine prospect, though far from the finished article:

The purchase of Martinez—a left-sided centre-back—would surely lead to the departure of either Mamadou Sakho or Dejan Lovren, the latter having struggled since his 2014 move to Anfield from Southampton.

Martinez would potentially join the likes of Danny Ings and James Milner on Merseyside, both of whom are expected to sign for Liverpool on free transfers in the summer, per Joe Musker on GianlucaDiMarzio.com.

Burnley's Ings has had a decent first season in the Premier League, netting 10 times in the Clarets' unsuccessful bid to avoid relegation, per WhoScored.com.

Ings and Milner are both decent English players, but they are not the kind of glamour signings that would excite the Anfield faithful.

Nor are they likely to put Liverpool back in a position to challenge for the league title, which is surely the aim for next season after a disappointing 2014-15 campaign.