Liverpool news and rumour round-up: Sunday’s biggest stories for the Reds…
Liverpool chasing new centre back in January
Liverpool have so far struggled to address last season’s defensive issues, with summer signing Dejan Lovren particularly disappointing, leading to speculation that the Reds will enter the market again in January.
The Daily Mirror believes that Brendan Rodgers’ side are leading the chase for West Ham centre back Winston Reid. The New Zealand defender has been a star performer this season, but has yet to extend his contract which expires at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail has claimed that the Reds will instead go after Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen. Like Reid, the 27-year-old is out of contract in the summer, and has already suggested that he won’t be prolonging his stay at White Hart Lane.
Odegaard looks set for Ajax despite Reds interest
Norwegian wonderkid Martin Odegaard’s move to Liverpool is far from certain, despite the youngster training with the Liverpool first-team earlier this week.
In fact, the Daily Mirror believes the 15-year-old is unlikely to even move to England, despite having also spent time with Manchester City, and will instead take up an offer from another European giant, potentially Dutch club Ajax.
Odegaard has also been approached by Ajax, who are likely to be in pole position to sign the starlet from Stromgodset with the offer of first-team football. The deal could go through when they player turns 16 in nine days time.
Balotelli looks set to leave in the summer
Sticking with the Daily Mirror, they believe Liverpool’s controversial summer signing – Italian striker Mario Balotelli – WILL be sold in the summer, after failing to impress manager Brendan Rodgers.
The 24-year-old will be given another chance to salvage some professional respect when he is fit again, but his days at Anfield are numbered just five months after arriving from AC Milan in a £16m deal.
The decision was taken by Rodgers even before the player was charged by the FA for posting an allegedly abusive or insulting image on social media. The difficulty for Liverpool could come in finding a buyer for the misfiring forward.
Gerrard won’t move to Premier League rival
Liverpool are reportedly confident of keeping captain Steven Gerrard out of the clutches of their Premier League rivals, even if he decides to quit Anfield when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The former England captain has just six months left on his current deal and is angry that Liverpool waited until this month before inviting him to get around the negotiating table.
There will be no shortage of offers – from either at home or abroad – and foreign clubs will be free to make their moves in the New Year if the 34-year-old still hasn’t accepted Liverpool’s offer.
Reds set to go head-to-head with Tottenham
Liverpool could renew an ongoing transfer battle with Premier League rivals Tottenham in January, with the two club’s believed to have similar targets ahead of the crucial winter window.
Both clubs have set their sights on bringing in either Porto’s Jackson Martinez and West Brom’s Saido Berahino, with both players set to cost around the £25m mark – a price the club’s are willing to meet to solve their issues in front of goal.
One man that looks to have ruled himself out of a move to Liverpool is Palermo striker Paulo Dybala, who has revealed that he would love to one day play for Arsenal. The Argentinean wonderkid is valued at around £35m.