Real Madrid Transfer News: Liverpool Target Denis Cheryshev, Top Rumours

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has turned his attention to Real Madrid's Denis Cheryshev as he looks to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window.

Italian website Tutto Mercato Web (h/t Tom Olver of Metro) said the Russian winger, who spent the past two seasons out on loan, is ready to break away from Los Blancos in the hope of finding a more stable environment.

Olver said Rodgers is a "big fan" of the Madrid youth product, with the 24-year-old purpose built to provide assists for Daniel Sturridge should he opt to move to Anfield. 

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Cheryshev had a productive season on loan at Villarreal last term after featuring for Seville in 2013-14. At El Madrigal, the player appeared 33 times in La Liga and Europe, according to WhoScored.com, recording nine assists and netting six goals.

He helped the Yellow Submarine finish in a credible sixth place in the Spanish top flight and reach the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.

Cheryshev joined Los Blancos in 2002 and impressed during his tenure in Madrid's B side as he matured into a talented attacker. 

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The Russian has excellent technique and would find life at Anfield agreeable as he searches for first-team football in one of the world's biggest leagues.

The player recently made his top-flight debut for the Galacticos in La Liga—a 13-minute cameo from the bench against Granada—but it's unlikely he will ever find himself as a permanent fixture in coach Rafael Benitez's starting XI.

Journalist Lucas Navarrete alluded to this fact as he highlighted Madrid's lack of genuine width:

Liverpool have had a complicated start to the new campaign, dropping points in the league and struggling to see off Carlisle United in the Capital One Cup; the introduction of the hardworking Russian would balance Rodgers' attack.

Sturridge has just returned to action after a lengthy layoff with a chronic injury, and the England striker needs creativity around him to perform at his best.

Cheryshev would be an affordable option for Liverpool to shake up their attack, with the physicality of the Premier League unlikely to hinder him.

Ronaldo Hints at Rooney Reunion

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He might be on the edge of history as he looks to break records at Madrid, but Cristiano Ronaldo has said he misses playing alongside Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney.

The Sun (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror) quoted CR7 speaking in a forthcoming BBC documentary about the possibility of reuniting with Rooney in the future: 

"

I miss playing with Rooney. Maybe we will play together again one day. He was the kid of England, everyone loved him. He was so powerful I was calling him Pitbull. The power of Wayne Rooney is his mentality and strength and he never stops. He’s a fantastic team player and he scores! He’s a fantastic boy, and he helped me a lot when he came to join us in Manchester.

"

Ronaldo has always worn his heart on his sleeve when it comes to the Red Devils, and with Rooney unlikely to leave United in the immediate future, a return to Old Trafford could be on the cards for Madrid's senior Galactico.

Los Blancos are in transition under Benitez, with Spanish outlet El Confidencial (h/t Sport) claiming Ronaldo is displeased at the defensive tactics of the new manager. 

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Once again, it feels like Ronaldo and Madrid's relationship is fragile, and the loss of former boss Carlo Ancelotti didn't appear to be a popular decision among the club's senior players. The Portugal captain is reaching the back end of his top-flight career, and a final reunion with United—who have the cash to tempt him—might be one step closer.

Duncan Castles of the Sunday Times said Real president Florentino Perez is lining up swoops for Chelsea's Eden Hazard and Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho, suggesting the desire to replace Ronaldo already exists.

Hazard effectively plays in CR7's role on the left, and his additional qualities would give Benitez a better defensive shape than at present.

Rumours about Ronaldo's future will not stop while the forward continues to recall his past in Manchester.