Liverpool FC: 10 January Transfer Targets Fans Are Excited About

Okay, I think we all know how these “transfer targets” articles work…us sportswriters get to channel our inner Shirley Povich, sip a little absinthe, wait for the lightheadedness to kick in…then commence the hunting and pecking. 

Fans get to indulge in a little bit of fantasy Premier League manager, get their dander up and come savage us writers for not knowing jack. For the editors it’s a cheap way to drive some search engine optimized web traffic…everyone wins!

Here at Bleacher Report we take this stuff (and ourselves) very seriously, but fans are not so restricted.  So take this with a grain or two of salt, balanced preferably on the rim of a martini glass along with an olive…shaken, not stirred.  Without much further ado, here are 10 January transfer targets who Liverpool fans are said to be giddy about. 

Eden Hazard

By now most Liverpool fans are likely sick of the Eden Hazard rumors, and understandably so, given that this prolonged courtship (it’s like watching a pair of Northern Cardinals) has dragged on since the summer. 

Nonetheless, he remains a tantalizing object given that his dynamism seems precisely the cure for what ails the Liverpool middle.  Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that Hazard himself has recently made it clear that he is ready to move on from Lille, and to a bigger, possibly English club.

Mario Götze

May now be an even longer shot at transferring from Dortmund due to a reported torn thigh muscle, suffered during a recent game against Kaiserslautern.  The injury is expected to sideline him until January, when a number of top-tier English teams are expected to bolster their squads.

This is a sad and troubling development for a youngster whose greatest asset at this point in his career is his speed.  I’m not a doctor and won’t hazard any guesses as to potential long-term impact on his career, but having a bad wheel is never a good thing for any athlete dependent on his legs for his trade.

Shinji Kagawa

With Götze potentially off the table for many clubs, expect interest to be ramped up in his transfer market sidekick Kagawa, whose own injury a year ago ironically was the crack that allowed Götze onto the stage to steal the spotlight.

With Lucas Barrios threatening for his spot and concerns in some Dortmund corners that his slight frame may not be able to withstand the rigors of the Bundesliga, now may be the right time for Dalglish to swoop.  Interest from both Arsenal and Manchester United has also cooled somewhat, sweetening the pot for Liverpool.

Inigo Martinez

Statistically Liverpool has the Premier League’s best defense, having seemingly settled down since the bonding of the Johnson-Skrtel-Agger-Enrique quartet.  As such, a defender may not exactly be at the top of their shopping list, but Martinez is too fabulous a talent to ignore.

The 20-year-old made his senior debut for Sociedad this season, and has since registered a further 13 appearances in La Liga.  Martinez insists that he’s not interested in leaving Spain any time soon, but such is his promise and composure that it seems only a matter of time before he does.  Club sources insist any move won’t happen before the summer, however.

Isaac Vorsah

Vorsah is an intriguing prospect, and truthfully one who is unlikely to move in January, but his versatility in defense is tantalizing enough to merit consideration. 

Growing out of an initial role as a squad player to become an undisputed regular for Hoffenheim, Vorsah primarily played as a holding mid under under former boss Ralf Rangnick and internationally for Ghana. 

Central defense is is preferred role however, and it is in that position that he’s likely to feature for Liverpool, while providing occasional cover in defensive mid for the injured Lucas.

Gary Cahill

As with Hazard, the rumors continue to swirl around Cahill, whom Liverpool has been keen on since the summer.  Bolton manager Owen Coyle has been adamant that Cahill isn’t for sale and has accordingly priced the central defender stratospherically so as to discourage interest.

Nonetheless, his size and youth make him a tantalizing prospect, and the fact that he’s English certainly doesn’t hurt.  With his club struggling near the bottom of the Premier League table, Bolton may be inclined to hang onto him, or alternatively, sell him to bring in more offensive firepower.

Whatever the outcome, what is certain is that the rumors are not likely to die down anytime soon.

Leandro Damiao

If the Reds have resolved their defensive issues, then without a doubt there remain issues with scoring up, having scored just 18 Premier League goals thus far.  This is where Liverpool could use the services of the Dynamic young Brazilian.

Since his promotion to the first team for S.C. Internacional, the 22-year-old striker has been nothing short of phenomenal, scoring 40 goals in all competition thus far and on pace to triple last season’s total of 27 goals.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with Barcelona striker David Villa but his £40 million price tag, age (30 years old) and the fact that he’s now suffered a devastating injury, all conspire to take him off the table and heighten the possibility of a £25 million move for Leandro this January.

Gaston Ramirez

Profiled here earlier this season, both Liverpool and Juventus are said to be interested in the Uruguayan playmaker thanks to his impressive form for Bologna this season.  Reports suggest that interest in Turin may have cooled since Bologna continues to insist that Ramirez is off-limits.

Nonetheless, Liverpool have kept close tabs on him and the prospect of him playing alongside his fellow Uruguayan internationals, Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates, tilt the odds in Liverpool’s favor.  The Reds are thought to be considering a £15 million bid in January, but it remains to be seen whether that would be enough.

Eduardo Vargas

Last seen dismantling the Spanish back line a couple months ago, Vargas has been mentioned as another possible addition to the striking corps at Anfield, and while it may be a stretch to say that fans are “excited” about him, the talented Chilean certainly has a lot to offer the Reds.

Recently named Chilean Footballer of the Year, the 22-year-old has enjoyed a very good season with his Universidad de Chile club, and on the back of a brilliant Copa America campaign, has been short-listed for South American Player of the Year honors.

Other European clubs such as both Milan clubs and Arsenal are also said to be interested in the £15 million striker, which means that Liverpool can expect a bidding war should he continue to perform on pace.

Xherdan Shaqiri

"Just when I thought the chance had passed, you go and save the best for last"...yes, Vanessa Williams, I know, but Shaq promises to be the one player most likely to actually make a move to Anfield this winter.

Interest had already been keen in the FC Basel star, but his dismantling of the Manchester United defense in the clubs' recent Champions League clash has firmly put him on the Barclays Premier League radar.

The rampant attacking midfielder provided the assist for both Basel goals against United and may have been auditioning his services for the many European scouts in attendance, as well as for the the English fanbase, perhaps unfamiliar with the diminutive dynamo.

Also rated in the £15 million range, that figure is sure to rise with the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona also said to be in the mix.  Liverpool hope to lure him with the promise of first-team football which could tip the balance, unless money is an overriding factor.