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Liverpool transfer news and rumours: Alvaro Arbeloa will return; Ezequiel Lavezzi set for £8m switch; Mario Balotelli staying at Anfield

A look at the latest rumours and gossip for the Anfield club

Wednesday 14 January 2015 10:59 GMT

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LIVERPOOL BOUND...

Liverpool will again move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Ezequiel Lavezzi, after the Ligue 1 club identified Nicolas Gaitan as a potential replacement.

Lavezzi has long been linked with a move to Anfield, even before he arrived in Paris. According to the Daily Express, Lavezzi could now cost the Reds just £8million, with PSG looking at Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan as a replacement.

The paper reports that PSG also want to lower their wage bill with the 29-year-old former Napoli man one of their highest earners.

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.

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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.

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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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Spanish rumour mongers Fichajes report that Liverpool are interested in Alex Song, who has been hugely impressive on loan at West Ham this season. The Hammers are also chasing a permanent deal for the Barcelona plater, but Liverpool and Manchester United could rival them.

LIVE: Latest January transfer news

Alvaro Arbeloa will choose to return to Liverpool rather than join rivals Arsenal or Chelsea, according to the Daily Telegraph. The Real Madrid full-back, 31, spent three seasons at Anfield playing just shy of 100 games.

Reports in Russia say Brendan Rodgers could make a move for Rubin Kazan forward Sardar Azmoun, for £5m. The 20-year-old has (inexplicably) been dubbed the 'Iranian Lionel Messi'.

Liverpool also continue to be linked with Gonzalo Higuain.

Alvaro Arbeloa will return to Liverpool rather than move to Arsenal or Chelsea (Getty Images)

HEADING FOR THE EXIT...

New Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has made a move for left-back Jose Enrique. Pardew, who wants to strengthen the Eagles with a looming relegation battle, has made an inquiry for the Spaniard with the promise of first-team football.

Enrique, 28, has played sparingly under Brendan Rodgers.

THE DEAL'S OFF...

Liverpool strikers Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini will not be leaving in this window, according to their agents. Despite the continued absence of Daniel Sturridge, the pair have barely played with Rodgers preferring to use Raheem Sterling up front.

The pair have been attracting strong interest from several Serie A clubs but Mino Raiola and Marco de Marchi ended speculation that they would be leaving Anfield.

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