Liverpool Transfer News: Javier Hernandez Targeted Amid Tottenham Rumours

Liverpool will reportedly battle Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and La Liga side Valencia to try to sign Bayer Leverkusen striker Javier Hernandez in the January transfer window.

The three clubs are all said to be ready to make winter moves for Hernandez to solve clear problems in their respective squads, according to Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mirror.

He credited both Liverpool and Spurs with different reasons for wanting to bring former Manchester United goal-getter Hernandez back to England's top flight.

Kajumba has outlined how both Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Tottenham chief Mauricio Pochettino are aiming to boost their squads next month: "One of Klopp's priorities is a winger, while Pochettino's main transfer aim is to end his search for a new No. 10. 

"But both clubs also have striker concerns, and Valencia's interest in Bayer Leverkusen's Hernandez could force them to act in January."

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The presence of Valencia could push both Premier League clubs into a bidding war, per Kajumba: "And they are prepared to give their English rivals for the Mexican's signature a real headache by offering to meet his £33.5m buyout clause next month. Spurs would certainly want to try to negotiate a lower fee."

Klopp and the Reds should think twice about stumping up such a large amount of cash for Hernandez, despite the Mexican's efficiency in front of goal. He can finish as well as anybody, but Hernandez is a curious fit for Klopp's style of play.

Hernandez is close to an old-fashioned poacher, a striker who comes alive in the penalty box. He's quick and has a natural instinct for sensing chances, along with the ability to finish from all angles.

Most teams would welcome an attacker with these traits, but Klopp has rarely relied on this type of striker at Liverpool. The German has frequently shunned oft-injured England international Daniel Sturridge, the best pure finisher on Liverpool's books.

Instead, Klopp has usually trusted converted attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino though the middle. The Brazilian's perceptive and wide range of movement keeps defenders guessing and creates spaces for others to exploit.

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Those qualities are at the heart of Klopp's football philosophy, a mantra based on fluidity, rapid rotations and combination passing. The dilemma when defending against Liverpool is teams never know who will pop up in the centre-forward position.

It might be Firmino, it could be Adam Lallana. If not, it'll be one of Georginio Wijnaldum, Philippe Coutinho or winger Sadio Mane.

Klopp's formula up front is one Liverpool can trust after netting 35 goals from 14 matches, the most in the Premier League, per the division's official website. Rather than engage in a fiscal scrap for Hernandez, Klopp ought to use his winter funds to plug a leaky defence breached 18 times in the league—the most in the top four.

Liverpool already boast enough attacking menace to maintain their title challenge. Another striker isn't needed, but a quality defender would surely be welcome.