Liverpool's January Transfer Targets: From Luis Suarez To Charlie Adam
Last week Liverpool Chairman Tom Werner signaled that funds would be made available during the January transfer window by Fenway Sports Group. Since the announcement the transfer murmurings that surrounded Liverpool in early January have crescendoed with the likes of Luis Suarez, Charlie Adam and Stephen Warnock all rumoured to be close to sealing their respective moves to Anfield.
Although Liverpool supporters are holding out for the club to go back to the future and announce Kenny Dalglish as the permanent manager this may not happen until the end of the season, if at all. In the meantime Reds fans are hoping for a handful of quality signings to propel the club back into the top half of the Premier League table.
Target Number One: Luis Suarez (Ajax)
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The transfer of Luis Suarez to Liverpool is said to be close; with Ajax keen to leave themselves time to find a replacement should the transfer eventuate.
Out of all the names that have been linked with a move to Merseyside this January it is Suarez, along with Eden Hazard, that has Liverpool fans the most excited. And with Hazard looking likely to remain at Lille until at least the end of the season Suarez has become target number one.
His goal-scoring record is exemplary, having scored 81 goals in 108 appearances for the Dutch giants. Premiership defenses will be at sixes and sevens if a partnership of Suarez and Fernando Torres materializes.
Suarez displayed during last years World Cup his ability to work alongside another superstar striker, Diego Forlan, and in the process formed the most formidable strike force at the tournament.
Likelihood: Word is the two parties expect a move to happen withing the next three days. 85%
Fit: Suarez looks to be a perfect fit for the Reds, especially as Fernando Torres continues to regain form and Captain Steven Gerrard returns from suspension.
Target Number Two: Charlie Adam (Blackpool)
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Perhaps the most interesting of the three major transfer targets for the Reds, Blackpool skipper Charlie Adam is said to be desperate for a move to Anfield. Having tormented Liverpool on two occasions this season Adam has caught the eye of much of the Premier League, with a number of clubs said to be bidding for his services.
The Reds have already had one bid of four million pounds rejected, and are said to have tabled yet another offer in the past 24 hours. Blackpool look to be holding out for close to 10 million pounds, although it is expected a compromise will be reached to push the deal through.
From a Liverpool perspective it seems to be an interesting move for yet another central midfielder. With Lucas Leiva beginning to live up to expectations, Raul Meireles finding his feet in the Premier League and Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole both preferring to play in central positions, there seems to be a number of options in the center of midfield. Not to mention the fact that King Kenny is obviously a fan of youngster Jonjo Shelvey, having brought him on in both league matches since taking the helm.
Likelihood: Despite Ian Holloway's dismissive nature of Liverpool's bid, it appears likely to go through either in the next week or at the end of the season. 80%
Target Number Three: Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
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Reds old boy Stephen Warnock is expected to seal a move back to Anfield in the coming days. Having spent the majority of his career with Liverpool Kenny Dalglish will be hoping it's a happy homecoming for Warnock.
Warnock is capable of playing at both left-back and left-midfield, despite spending the majority of his recent playing career solely as a left-back. With the Reds looking into an exit strategy for Paul Konchesky, it is expected that Warnock will compete with Fabio Aurelio for the starting spot.
The arrival of Warnock might signal a more advanced role for Glen Johnson, something Liverpool and England fans alike have been screaming out for due to his sometime suspect defending.
Likelihood: Nearly there; expected to be on loan until the end of the season then for a permanent move to be sealed before the 2011-12 season. 95%
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N'Zogbia, Benzema and The Rest
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Naturally following the announcement of significant transfer funds for a club of Liverpool's stature they have been linked with moves for a number of players. Karim Benzema, Charles N'Zogbia and Keisuke Honda have been a few of the bigger names linked, all of whom look unlikely to find their way to Liverpool this January.
Benzema could perhaps be viewed as a back-up should the Suarez deal fall through, however even then it would appear unlikely due to Real Madrid's lack of fire-power due to the injury to Gonzalo Higuain.
N'Zogbia is perhaps more likely, however with Wigan seemingly holding out for a huge transfer fee it may not eventuate.
A move for Honda will most likely wait until the summer, as he is currently representing Japan in the Asian Cup. Should Japan lose in the semi-final a move may eventuate, however it is likely the Reds will wait to bid for one of Asia's biggest stars.
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