Liverpool FC's Striker Hunt : One of the Five Sure To Land at Anfield?
Even though the sale of Liverpool FC doesn't seem as imminent as it did a few days back, if Roy Hodgson's statement is anything to go by, the striker hunt for the club is far from over.
Liverpool FC has been linked with a ton of players ever since the transfer season kicked off, however there has been only seven signings and as Roy Hodgson stated a few days back, there isn't going to be any major overhaul at the club but may be one or two additions are still very possible.
Here I have put together a collection of five strikers at least one of who is extremely likely to join the Anfield outfit before the transfer window slams shut. As is understandable from the financial health of the club, it cannot go for a real 'Marquee' signing which even the manager has ruled out, under such circumstances it is only understandable that the club will settle for a bargain buy, however all the lads linked are very promising and there should be no reason to believe that Liverpool FC wouldn't be the right platform for them to become a star in the recent future.
Victor Obinna, Nigeria, Age: 23, Club: Inter Milan
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This Nigerian striker/winger was a regular in Italian club Chievo scoring 19 goals in about 82 appearances.
In summer 2008, Obinna moved back to Inter Milan. Liverpool FC's fiercest rival club Everton attempted to immediately sign him on loan, but were unable to secure a work permit for the player. Obinna's first goal for Inter came on 19 October in a 4–0 win over Roma.
Even the legendary manager and ex-Inter Manager Joe Mourinho described Obinna as one of Inter's best talents for the future. On 31st July 2010 he scored two goals against Manchester City in a friendly match that ended 3-0.
Liverpool FC are reported keen to sign the Nigerian and Roy Hodgson is also thought to be an admirer of the 23-year-old, however it has also been reported that Inter Milan are only ready to part with the player if a swap deal with Dirk Kuyt is considered. Such a process seems unlikely though as Kuyt is still considered a very important member of the Liverpool FC Squad.
It is therefore fair to state, that if Kuyt himself doesn't hand out a transfer request soon enough, then the move may not occur.
However would Liverpool be ready to pay the transfer fee required anyways and still bid to buy the 6' Nigerian is something we have to watch.
Artem Milevskiy, Ukraine, Age : 25, Club: Dynamo Kiev
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Artem Milevskiy,has been an ever present figure for Dynamo Kiev joining the club at the age of 17 in 2002. He has scored 42 goals for his club in about 124 appearances after featuring for the first team since then. Although taking his performances for Dynamo-2 also, he has managed 60 goals in 178 appearances. He has also scored for Ukraine at all the levels , five goals in five matches at U-17, seven goals for the U-21 and four goals so far in the national team in 29 appearances.
Liverpool FC are reportedly keen on the striker although the price tag of £13m may prove to be a stumbling block if the Reds are unable to sell any players.
Ricky Van Wolfswinkel, Netherlands, Age: 21, Club: FC Utrecht
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In what could be Liverpool FC's answer to Manchester United's new buy 'Chicarito', this dutch youngster has been linked and is tipped to join the Reds from his present Eredivisie out fit FC Utrecht.
Wolfswinkel is highly tipped all around the Netherlands as a bright prospect for the future of Netherlands national football.
Van Wolfswinkel started his football career at the D-pupils of Vitesse. In the A-juniors he became topscorer of the national first divisions. Because of that, he received a prize by the KNVB. This prize was handed over by Wesley Sneijder in 2007. On 5 April 2008, Van Wolfswinkel made his debut for Vitesse's first team. It was in the match against Sparta Rotterdam. Van Wolfswinkel was substituted in the 85th minute for Santi Kolk. Against De Grafschaap, in the 2008–09 season, he was in the starting lineup for the first time. In his third match this season, against Sparta Rotterdam, Van Wolfswinkel scored his first Eredivisie goal. On 29 May 2009 he announced his leaving from Vitesse and signed a three years contract with FC Utrecht.
In what could be considered as a very impressive first season, the 6'1'' star scored 10 goals in 33 appearances for the club.
He has been linked with a move to Liverpool FC and is thought to be keen on the move.
Ola Toivonen, Sweden, Age : 24, Club: PSV Eindoven
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Although a huge star already in the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven, the giant Swede has gained huge popularity after he emerged as a Liverpool FC target earlier last week.
The 24-year-old has barely spent a year at the Eredivisie, but has already scored 24 goals in 49 appearances with the club.
On August 20, 2010, sources claimed that PSV received a bid from Liverpool FC believed to be in the region of £9 million for Toivonen, which is thought to be under consideration by the Dutch side. However, it has also been reported in the Swedish media that he may be involved in swap deal with Dutch forward Ryan Babel, although after the last Europa league performance the later seems improbable.
Moreover after Eindhoven's Europa appearance for Toivonen , he has become cup tied, and as of now that seems the only problem that Hodgson would face even if he wins the bid to sign the player, whom he clearly likes the very much, being very familiar with the Swedish football from his early days.
Bryan Ruiz, Costa Rica , Age: 25, Club: FC Twente
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Much like Toivonen, Bryan Ruiz has been very much a Roy Hodgson find for Liverpool and was among the first stars to be linked with the club after the ex-Fulham boss took over.
Like Toivonen again, Ruiz has only joined FC Twente a season back and was extremely instrumental for the Eredivisie. So well did he fit into the club that he went on to score 24 goals in just 35 appearances for the club.
On May 2, FC Twente carried by Bryan Ruiz through the season were crowned champions of Eredivisie with a 2–0 win at Nac Breda; Ruiz scored the first goal at the 23rd minute of play.
Ruiz had been declared as the 10th world scorer in the 2009-2010 season by the IFFS , above world class scorers as Diego Milito, Frank Lampard and David Villa. Liverpool have reportedly bidded £15 million for the Costa Rican star
Roy Hodgson has been considered to be extremely keen on the player right from his Fulham days when Ruiz played for Gent in Belgium.Also the fact that Ruiz may not be cup-tied like Toivonen also makes him a far more attractive target for Liverpool FC .
Another aspect of Ruiz is his brilliant left foot which could be handful for Liverpool as well.
