There’s “just” 71 days until Christmas, but more importantly, there’s 78 days until the January transfer window opens and Brendan Rodgers has the chance to bolster his Liverpool squad.
So the rumour mill has been dusted off after it’s brief lull during September (not without added Didier Drogba/Michael Owen/Niclas Anelka grinds it must be said) and is back in full force for the countdown to January.
However, it should be noted that it is an international break at the moment and newspapers up and down the country are desperate for filler content. So take today’s Liverpool transfer rumour round-up with a pinch of salt.
Starting off, the Sunday Mirror says Brendan Rodgers is pleading with the club’s owners to give him transfer funds for January to fix gaping holes left by mistakes during the summer window.
One of the players Rodgers may look to pursue is £7million rated Demba Ba of Newcastle Utd, according to the Daily Mail.
The Senegalese striker has been linked with Liverpool for a long time, but the Reds failed to take advantage of a clause in the 27-year-old’s contract at St James’ Park which would triggered his automatic release during the summer.
A number of newspapers and media outlets have reported a Reds interest in Celtic’s Gary Hooper after contract talks broke down between the Glasgow club and the 24-year-old English forward.
The former Scunthorpe striker has a prolific goalscoring record in both the Championship and Scottish Premier League, prompting pressure for him to be called up to the England squad.
And another winger-come-striker back on Liverpool’s radar is Crystal Palace wonder kid Wilfried Zaha.
Zaha has been the target of several Premier League clubs for the last couple of years after shining for the South London side in the Championship.
His quick pace and natural finishing ability has also attracted the attention of the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal.
However, Palace are reportedly reluctant to let the England Under-21 international leave for anything less than £11million.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is quoted in today’s papers discussing January.
“There are still areas we want to reinforce – and we have to reinforce as soon as we can.”
“Our best team are comparable to any team in the Premier League. But we’re a very thin squad and we are having to challenge on a lot of fronts.
“I’ve had good conversations with the owners and they understand where we are at as a team.”
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