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Liverpool transfer news and rumours: Reds prepare £32m Mauro Icardi bid; Gonzalo Higuain 'not leaving' Napoli; Jordan Ibe returns

A look at the latest ins and outs at Anfield

Friday 16 January 2015 12:52 GMT

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Liverpool are ready to do battle with Chelsea over £32million Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi, according to the Daily Star.

LIVE: All the latest transfer news and rumours

The Argentine has 14 goals in 24 matches so far this season and while the Blues are the supposed favourites to sign him, despite spending more than £40m on strikers in the summer, Liverpool are ready to pounce. The deal is only likely to go through should Inter miss out on Champions League football.

Brendan Rodgers has confirmed the club are in talks to bring Divock Origi back from his loan at Lille during this window. "There have been discussions," said the manager.

One player who has returned is Jordan Ibe from his loan spell at Derby County. The winger had been impressive at Pride Park, scoring five goals in 20 appearances for Steve McClaren's side who sit second in the Championship.

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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THE DEAL'S OFF...

Gonzalo Higuain is not leaving Napoli, according to his brother/agent, Nicolas.

"First of all, I have not spoken to any club because they have not contacted me and secondly, it would be disrespectful to Napoli... We're not thinking about leaving Napoli," he told Italian radio station Crc.

"I'm confident that the team can finish third (in Serie A to qualify for the Champions League), then we'll see about Gonzalo's future. I haven't spoken with any team."

Sam Allardyce is confident he can convince Alex Song to choose a permanent move to West Ham over rivals Liverpool. The Barcelona loanee has been fantastic for the Hammers this season and Brendan Rodgers is reported to have become interested in the midfielder.

Spanish newspaper El Confidencial report that Marco Reus has agreed a five-year deal to join Real Madrid in the summer.

West Ham are confident of signing Alex Song permanently (Getty Images)

STAYING PUT...

Rodgers has also ruled out Lucas Leiva leaving for Inter Milan this month, saying "he is not one that we would want to lose in January."

Goal-shy striker Fabio Borini, who has been linked with a return to Italy, has told the Liverpool Echo he wants to stay at the club and prove his worth.

Borini, 23, is yet to score a goal in 13 matches in all competitions for the Reds, and has just two goals since a £10.5m from Roma. "This is really the season for me," he said. "I'm working hard every day to show the manager that I can help. I want to prove myself here."

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