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Liverpool transfer news and rumours: £30m Gonzalo Higuain move looms; Reds to sign Sergio Romero; Mario Balotelli exit talk

The latest transfer news and rumours surrounding Anfield

Jack de Menezes

Monday 12 January 2015 11:06 GMT

Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain (GETTY IMAGES)

LIVERPOOL ARRIVALS…

Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain continues to be linked with a move to Liverpool this month as neither club have clarified whether the Argentinian striker is set for a blockbuster £30m move or not. The Independent on Sunday reported that the arrival of Manolo Gabbiadini from Sampdoria had triggered talk of a dramatic exit for the former Real Madrid striker, with Napoli required to balance the books in order to comply with Uefa’s Financial Fair Play regulations. The Naples outfit are currently fourth in the Serie A, but are already 13 points off leaders Juventus and face another season of Champions League qualification at best.

LIVE: Latest transfer news, rumours and done deals

Liverpool are also being linked with Sampdoria goalkeeper Sergio Romero after missing out on Victor Valdes. Brendan Rodgers was hopeful of taking Valdes on trial with a view to a free transfer for the former Barcelona stopper, but Manchester United completed an 18-month deal with the Spaniard after he had been training with the club for the past two months. The Daily Express claims that the Reds will now turn to the Argentinian number one in a bid to cure their worries between the sticks with Simon Mignolet going through a difficult period of form while Brad Jones is sidelined with a thigh injury.

Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window

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1/14Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window

Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window

Petr Cech

With Simon Mignolet unconvincing and Brad Jones a deputy lacking clout, Liverpool need a new goalkeeper. Chelsea stopper Cech is looking for a new home having been pushed into second place by Thibaut Courtois and could be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge if he really pushes for it. One of the best goalkeepers in the world, despite currently warming the bench, Chelsea will be reluctant to let him join a Premier League rival.

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Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window

Guillermo Ochoa

According to some reports a £3m deal has already been thrashed out for Malaga stopper Ochoa. Interest in the 29-year-old was huge in the summer after a string of impressive performances at the World Cup with Mexico. The then free agent opted for a move to Spain but has struggled since.

EPA/MAURICIO DUENAS

Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window

John Ruddy

Another keeper linked with a move to Anfield is Ruddy. The 28-year-old just missed out on a place in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the World Cup but remains a well rated stopper. With Norwich currently plying their trade in the Championship after relegation last term, a quick return to the top-flight would be appealing.

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Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window

Sergio Romero

Sampdoria goalkeeper Sergio Romero will be out of contract in the summer which has led to reports over where he will be playing in the near future. The Argentina international, who was part of the side that finished runners-up in the 2014 World Cup, has also been linked with Manchester City.

Getty Images

Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window

Ron Vlaar

Defending was not an area in which Liverpool excelled last season, despite their title tilt, so consequently Brendan Rodgers made moves to address the problem during the summer. However, it hasn't worked particularly well and Liverpool are understood to be keen to add reinforcements. Aston Villa centre-back Vlaar is a man in demand due to his consistent performances and the fact his contract will expire at the end of the season.

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Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window

Fabio Coentrao

Left-back Coentrao has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid and to the Premier League for some time now with Manchester United usually the club named as his likely destination. However, Liverpool are also said to be in the mix.

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Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window

Fabian Delph

Another Aston Villa player of interest to Liverpool is Delph. The central midfielder has begun to show why the Villains made such an effort to prise him away from Leeds United back in 2009. Reports suggest Rodgers could make a bid upwards of £10m for the 25-year-old.

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Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window

Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema has been linked with a move to the Premier League for years, but instead he just keeps on scoring goals at a healthy rate for Real Madrid. That the Frenchman has lasted so long at the Bernabeu considering the Spanish club's preference for churning over the star names is testament to his ability. However, a reported £50m bid being readied by Liverpool might be enough for Los Blancos to say au revoir.

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Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window

Saido Berahino

The youngster has impressed with West Brom, so much so Liverpool have been linked with a £23m move for the striker. However, the Baggies say the story is an 'entire fabrication'. Tottenham also linked.

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Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window

Jackson Martinez

Martinez was an integral part of the Colombia team that so impressed at the World Cup so it was inevitable his name would crop up in the transfer rumour mill. However, he remained at Porto over the summer but claims that he has a £27.5m release clause has seen interest return. Liverpool are reportedly ready to take the plunge, however they face competition from Roma and Arsenal for the 28-year-old.

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Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window

Ezequiel Lavezzi

Lavezzi has 18 months to run on his contract and according to some sources PSG won't offer him another contract. That means they'll be keen to offload him sooner rather than later in order to avoid losing him for free. A fee of around £17m has been mentioned, with the 29-year-old forward perhaps set to become the latest Argentinian import into the Premier League.

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Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window

Wilfried Bony

Brendan Rodgers were full of praise for Bony earlier this season, describing him as 'strong, powerful, and he gets goals'. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher is just as effusive. 'I hope Liverpool sign him [Bony]. He is worth £20m or £25m. I wish Liverpool got him this summer and I hope they're looking at him in the future,' said the former defender.

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Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window

Gonzalo Higuain

The Napoli striker was close to a move to Arsenal two seasons ago before the Italian club blew their bid out of the water. However, they are now under financial pressure to balance the books, and the addition of Manolo Gabbiadini from Sampdoria has triggered talk that he could be on his way to Anfield for £30m.

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Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window

Ogenyi Onazi

According to reports, Lazio have already turned down one bid from Liverpool for their young Nigerian striker. However, an offer of around £8m could tempt them to part with the 22-year-old who has started to find his feet in Serie A and has already made over 25 appearances for his national team. There are suggestions Fabio Borini could be used as a make-weight in any deal.

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HEADING FOR THE EXIT…

Any move for Higuain is likely to be funded by the exit of striker Mario Balotelli. The Italian has flopped since his £16m summer move from AC Milan and has been restricted to appearances from the bench since his return from injury last month. Brendan Rodgers insists that the 24-year-old will not be sold in the current transfer window, but reports have strongly linked him with a loan move to Olympiakos as well as a surprise permanent switch to Paris St-Germain. A bid from PSG is subject to the French champions offloading either Edinson Cavani or Ezequiel Lavezzi, although Balotelli would cost significantly less than the possible sale of the South American duo.

Lucas Leiva is being heavily linked with a move to Italy after reports last week suggested Inter Milan wanted the defensive midfielder, although Sampdoria and Napoli are now both being mentioned with a move for the Brazilian as part of deals for Romero and Higuain respectively. The Reds are believed to want £7m for Lucas, who remains their only recognised holding midfielder currently in the squad, and Roberto Mancini is determined to bring in Premier League talent to strengthen Inter’s Serie A campaign.

Is Balotelli leaving Liverpool? Brendan Rodgers says he's going nowhere

Suso’s
move to AC Milan appears to be back on after he confirmed on Sunday night that he has had agreed a four-year deal with the Italian side. The move for the 21-year-old Spaniard appeared to hit a stumbling block at the start of this month, but the player himself confirmed that a deal had been reached and he had passed a medical ahead of a move. Suso, who is out of contract at the end of the season, told Sky Sport Italia: “I am very happy to be coming to Milan.”

Rickie Lambert looks set to stay at Liverpool this month after an unlikely source confirmed the England striker is determined to fight for his place at Anfield. Crystal Palace’s newly-appointed manager Alan Pardew revealed that he held talks with Reds manager Rodgers, but was told that Lambert would be going nowhere this month as he wants to show he has the quality to cut it at his hometown club. As reported in The Independent, Pardew said: “I had a conversation with Brendan [Rodgers about Lambert] but I don’t think Rickie is going anywhere,” Pardew said following the 2-1 win over Tottenham. “I think Rickie wants to stay there and try and win his position.”

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