Liverpool Transfer News: Gonzalo Higuain Targeted, Christian Benteke Rumours

Liverpool’s imminent £49 million sale of Raheem Sterling, per Sky Sports, looks as though it could fund a move for a new centre-forward, with reports linking the Reds with a big-money attempt to prise Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli.

According to reports in Italy (h/t Paul Gorst of Metro), Liverpool see the Argentina international as the ideal man to lead their line.

The piece states Napoli are "keen to enter into negotiations with the Anfield hierarchy" about a potential deal for the striker.

Here's a look at what Higuain could bring to Merseyside should they strike a deal:

With Napoli missing out on Champions League qualification last season, the prospect of a move elsewhere might tempt Higuain.

And Liverpool, who have already made six summer signings at the time of writing, are a team with ambitions of getting back among the elite of English football.

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

Higuain could be the poacher they need to cap off a wonderful summer too. As we can see here, courtesy of WhoScored.com, the former Real Madrid man is a thoroughbred goalscorer:

Granted, he may not be the most dynamic No. 9, but aside from his ruthless finishing, Higuain does contribute plenty in general play.

He would relish dropping in and linking up with the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, while the midfielders would thrive feeding the Argentinian's intelligent darts into space.

With Daniel Sturridge perennially hampered by injury problems, getting a new forward will be vital to a prosperous campaign for Liverpool.

Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell took a look what other issues the Reds will have to conquer in pre-season:

If a deal can be done for Higuain, he’d be a brilliant player to lead the line for the Reds. But Napoli are notorious for wanting big money for their best talent, and although Liverpool are set to be flush from the Sterling sale, Rodgers may decide he can get better value elsewhere in the market.

Liverpool in Pole Position for Benteke

Michel Spingler/Associated Press

One forward who could fill that void is Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke, whom Liverpool are apparently still the favourites to sign.

As noted by Gorst in another piece for Metro, Manchester United have reportedly entered the running for the burly Belgian.

But according to Kristof Terreur of Het Laatste Nieuws, Anfield remains the 24-year-old’s most likely destination at this juncture:

It seems as though Benteke is the man most likely to join Liverpool and add some depth to their striking options.

As the Reds have been themselves in the sale of Sterling, Villa are being stubborn when it comes to their asset, but given the windfall Liverpool will receive for the sale of the England international, they will surely reach a compromise in time.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Former Liverpool player Don Hutchison expressed the concerns a lot of Reds supporters have when it comes to the potential purchase:

Stylistically, United do seem a more natural fit for Benteke. Louis van Gaal is a manager who has no problems playing a direct style of football if it's going to get his team results, and the Villa man would relish being at the point of the Red Devils attack.

By contrast, Brendan Rodgers is a lot more principled when it comes to the manner in which his side operate.

The striker is a forward who excels with his back to goal and could potentially link up well with Liverpool’s polished attacking players.

But unless there is a shift in stylistic emphasis, it's unlikely we'd see Benteke, a rampant and indomitable presence at Villa Park, showcase those kinds of levels regularly at Anfield.