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Liverpool transfer news and updates: £40m bid for Karim Benzema; Reds lead Teddy Bishop race; No recall for Divock Origi

The latest transfer news and speculation surrounding Anfield

Jack de Menezes

Monday 19 January 2015 12:26 GMT

Karim Benzema celebrates the winning goal (GETTY IMAGES)

ANFIELD ARRIVALS…

Liverpool are being linked with an audacious £40m transfer of Karim Benzema in the summer after reports in Spain claimed the Frenchman is considering his future after a breakdown in his relationship with Carlo Ancelotti.

LIVE: Latest transfer news and updates

Real are believed to have entered the race to sign Paris St-Germain striker Edinson Cavani, who is himself unhappy with life in Ligue 1, and could fund the transfer by letting Benzema move to Anfield. Benzema will not leave the Santiago Bernabeu this month, but his future has always been the subject of much speculation as he has been outshone by Cristiano Ronaldo during his time in Spain.

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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The Reds are also reported to be leading the race for young Ipswich talent Teddy Bishop, with the 18-year-old midfielder currently valued at £10m by the Championship club. Bishop has impressed since emerging on the scene at Portman Road this season, and he’s made 17 league appearances this term despite his relative inexperience. With Ipswich currently flying high in second place after a strong run of form put them firmly in the promotion picture, the club may be able to fend off Liverpool’s interest should they secure their passage to the top flight.

DEAL OFF…

Brendan Rodgers has decided against recalling Belgium striker Divock Origi from his loan spell with French side Lille after both Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert found the back of the net in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa at the weekend. Origi hasn’t enjoyed the best of spells this season with Lille having only scored four goals in 23 appearances, and you have to question whether his return would be what Liverpool need in their hunt for a regular goalscorers. With Daniel Sturridge on the way back from injury, and Mario Balotelli also on the books at Anfield, another striker would likely cause more problems than solutions.

Rodgers has chosen not to recall striker Divock Origi from Lille (GETTY IMAGES)

Gonzalo Higuain won’t be heading to the Premier League anytime soon despite mooted interest from Arsenal and Liverpool after he reaffirmed his commitment to Napoli, insisting that he has a contract with the Serie A side that he is happy to honour. Both clubs were in the hunt for Higuain when he left Real Madrid in 2013, but their need to balance the books has sparked reports that the Argentinian would be sold if a £30m bid came in.

GONE…

Suso completed his move to AC Milan over the weekend as he joined the Italian club on a loan until the end of the season, when he will begin a four-year contract with the Italian club that he has already signed. Suso’s Liverpool deal will expire at the end of the current season and he took full advantage of the ruling that allows players in the Premier League under the age of 24 to begin negotiations with clubs abroad.

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