Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Steve Mandanda and Moussa Dembele Rumours

Marseille have reportedly handed Liverpool an escape route from their goalkeeping woes by offering the Reds their No. 1 Steve Mandanda.

According to L'Equipe (h/t Uche Amako of the Express), the Ligue 1 side are hoping to cash in on the stopper before his contract runs out in the summer and will entertain bids as low as £2.95 million.

Liverpool's current No. 1, Simon Mignolet, is a less-than-inspiring figure at the back for the Reds, per football writer Jack Lusby:

For Liverpool to become serial top-four contenders and ultimately challenge again for the Premier League title, Mignolet simply isn't a reliable enough stopper and needs to be replaced.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

While Mandanda isn't of the same calibre as a David De Gea or Manuel Neuer, the Frenchman is nevertheless an experienced player and would offer an upgrade on Mignolet.

As WhoScored.com reveals, the 30-year-old is an excellent shot-stopper, and per Squawka Football, he made Ligue 1's team of the year last season:

According to Squawka, Mandanda has maintained better distribution success, made fewer errors and made more saves per goal than Mignolet in the league this season.

Mandanda also has extensive experience in both the Champions League and Europa League. Football writer Andrew Gibney seems to believe the move could be a good one:

While Liverpool will eventually need a better 'keeper than Mandanda between the sticks to match their ambitions, as a relatively short-term acquisition, he could be highly useful, particularly if he can be snapped up for such a low fee.

The Reds will also need to improve on their ability to find the back of the net.

While on paper a squad containing forward options such as Daniel Sturridge, Christian Benteke, Danny Ings and Divock Origi—not to mention the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino behind them—should have little problem in scoring goals, Liverpool have scored just 21 goals in 18 games this season, fewer than goal-shy Manchester United.

However, Sturridge is too injury-prone to be relied upon, Ings is a long-term absentee, Coutinho is too inconsistent and Benteke and Firmino have thus far struggled to adapt to their new surroundings.

There's certainly potential for Jurgen Klopp to get those players fit and firing without the need for recruitment, but nevertheless he could be targeting reinforcements in January.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

According to the Sun, the Reds are "taking a big interest" in Fulham's Moussa Dembele, with the Cottagers potentially having to sell him as they need to "to balance the books"—particularly as he has just six months left on his contract, according to Transfermarkt.

The exciting prospect has scored 10 goals and assisted two in 24 appearances for Fulham this season, so with the 19-year-old potentially available at a cut-price in January or for free in the summer, it's unsurprising he's caught the eye of those in the Premier League.

The striker has not only great potential but also the clinical touch Liverpool need, so don't be surprised if Liverpool pursue him in January.