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Liverpool transfer news and rumours: Nemanja Vidic not wanting return; Gonzalo Higuain to arrive for £30m; Oussama Assaidi joins Al Ahli

The latest transfer news and rumours surrounding Anfield

Jack de Menezes

Tuesday 13 January 2015 11:59 GMT

Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain (GETTY IMAGES)

LIVERPOOL ARRIVALS…

Gonzalo Higuain continues to be linked with a move to Anfield with Napoli yet to confirm whether the striker will leave during the current transfer window. The Argentinian striker has cropped up in numerous Liverpool reports and could be on his way out of Napoli following their acquisition of Manolo Gabbiadini and a need to balance the books. Higuain would not come cheap with any deal expected to be around the £30m mark, but Liverpool can fund the deal with the exit of Mario Balotelli.

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The Italian has been linked with a loan move to Olympiakos and Juventus while Paris St-Germain continue to be linked with a surprise permanent move should either Edinson Cavani or Ezequiel Lavezzi leave this month.

The club could also be leaning towards allowing Lucas Leiva to join Inter Milan for £7m, but only if they are able to land Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph as a replacement. The Mirror reports that the sale of Lucas will be needed to generate the funds for a move for Delph, although it's a case of both or neither as Brendan Rodgers is unwilling to weaken his squad without adding a suitable replacement.

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.

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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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HANDS OFF…

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been warned off Lyon winger Alexandre Lacazette by the French club’s president Jean-Michel Aulas, despite the player’s admission that his future lies away from Ligue 1.

Delph has been identified as a replacement for Lucas Leiva (Getty Images)

Lacazette has already said that he sees his future in either “England or Spain” which prompted talk of a move to Liverpool, among other leading Premier League clubs. While the 23-year-old winger would add to Liverpool’s attack, he is unlikely to fit in Rodgers’ current formation that incorporates wing-backs rather than out-and-out wingers, and now the club have been told in no uncertain terms that he will not leave Lyon this month.

"I don’t think there will be any movement for [Lacazette],” said Aulas. “Our goal is to become a top European club in the next five years, and that’s why we don’t want to sell him. I spoke with Man City, but it was about other topics and not a transfer. There will be no departures in the winter and I also think the same in the summer.”

Lacazette is unlikely to leave Lyon this month (Getty Images)

According to reports in Italy, Nemanja Vidic has ruled out a Premier League return with Liverpool in order to stay at Inter Milan. The former Manchester United would certainly cause a stir if he were to move to Anfield, but it’s believed he has turned down any chance to join Liverpool on loan for the rest of the season. The Serbian returned to the starting line-up this weekend against Genoa and managed to get on the scoresheet in the 3-1 victory.

Oussama Assaidi has left Liverpool to join Dubai side Ah Ahli

DONE DEAL…

Liverpool have also confirmed the sale of Oussama Assaidi to Dubai club Al Ahli for £4.7m, which represents an increase on the £2.4m the Reds paid Heerenveen in 2012. Assaidi has been on loan with Stoke this season after a successful spell at the Britannia in 2013-14.

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