Liverpool transfer news and rumours: James Milner tops target list, Miralem Pjanic to replace Steven Gerrard, PSG want Mario Balotelli

A look at the latest transfer talk surrounding Anfield

Jack de Menezes

Thursday 08 January 2015 12:11 GMT

James Milner celebrates scoring his team's first goal (Getty Images)

LIVERPOOL BOUND…

James Milner has emerged as the top transfer target for Brendan Rodgers in January. The Times report that the Manchester City midfielder, who is available on a free transfer at the end of the season, could make the switch to Anfield if Rodgers is able to talk City into selling, with the fear of losing him for nothing in the summer falling in the Reds’ favour. Milner is in talks with his club over an extension but talks are not progressing and the England midfielder is frustrated with the lack of first-team opportunities available to him.

Reports in Italy suggest that Liverpool could launch a €30m bid for Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic. While the Bosnia-Herzegovina international would not be a direct replacement for the departing Steven Gerrard, he would undoubtedly inject talent into the midfield having established himself as one of the best young talents in the Serie A. However, Gazzetta Dello Sport Roma’s current title campaign means the club are unwilling to discuss a move until the end of the season.

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Nemanja Vidic has also been linked with a move to Liverpool from Italian side Inter Milan after being frozen out under recently appointed manager Roberto Mancini. The former City boss has left Vidic out of his side in recent weeks, and a return to the Premier League is on the cards for the Serbian defender as reported in the Evening Standard.

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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HEADING FOR THE EXIT…

Defensive midfielder Lucas Leiva appears to be closing on a move to Italy after multiple reports linked the Brazilian with an agreed switch to Inter Milan. Lucas has made 18 appearances this season and stands out as Liverpool’s only recognised holding midfielder – although Steven Gerrard is capable of filling in the role having performed well in a deeper role last season. The same report in the Evening Standard claims Leiva’s switch could be part of a swap deal for Vidic.

Pjanic has been linked as a replacement for Gerrard (Getty)

Paris St-Germain are reported to be in the running to sign Anfield flop Mario Balotelli this month. The news comes after reports in Italy suggested Greek side Olympiakos wanted to land the striker, but the talk in France this morning is that French league champions PSG are preparing a shock move for the 24-year-old, who would cost less than the £16m Liverpool shelled out for him in the summer. However, the move may hinge on the departure of either Edinson Cavani or Ezequiel Lavezzi, such is the Financial Fair Play restrictions imposed on the club by Uefa.

Gerrard's move to LA Galaxy was confirmed this week

TWIST…

LA Galaxy have confirmed that no talks have taken place regarding a loan move for Steven Gerrard to return to a European club during the MLS off-season. Club president Chris Klein says that talks have “never been discussed” in an interview with BBC Five Live, despite talk of a move back to Anfield when the MLS is on a break. Thierry Henry famously returned to Arsenal from New York Red Bulls while David Beckham also returned to Europe during his spell with Galaxy, and Frank Lampard is currently playing for Manchester City despite agreeing a move to newly-formed club NewYork City FC in the summer.

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