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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 27, 2017: Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Inter Milan lodge ‘significant’ loan bid for Daniel Sturridge

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is edging closer to the exit this January, after Serie A side Inter Milan made a “significant” loan bid.

The 28-year-old has featured just 14 times for the Reds this season, with only five of those coming as part of Jurgen Klopp‘s starting lineup.

Despite this, Sturridge has still scored three goals and assisted a further three, with his peripheral role fuelling a desire to leave in order to make the England squad for the World Cup.

Liverpool are believed to be willing to allow the fit-again striker to depart before the end of the winter transfer window, with Klopp leaving him out of the last two matchday squads.

And according to BBC Sport, Sturridge could be given the option to join Inter in their bid for a top-four finish in the Italian top flight.

Inter are reported to have “offered a significant but undisclosed loan fee” for the No. 15, while they would also pay his £120,000-a-week wages in full.

Furthermore, “discussions have also opened up towards a potential permanent transfer at the end of this season,” which presents Liverpool with an ideal resolution.

The Reds “will now consider the offer,” and Sturridge’s future is not decided at this stage, as he “has yet to make a decision with the club happy for him to stay at Anfield.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 1, 2017: Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge warms-up before the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Liverpool FC and NK Maribor at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Few could argue against Sturridge pushing for a move away from Merseyside in January, given his lack of opportunities under Klopp despite largely avoiding fitness issues.

Roberto Firmino is established as the Reds’ first-choice striker, while both Dominic Solanke and Danny Ings have been preferred as backup options in recent weeks.

However, allowing Sturridge to leave would clearly weaken Klopp’s squad, as Monday night’s 1-0 defeat away to Swansea City proved.

With Sturridge not travelling to south Wales despite being fit, Klopp was left to send on Ings, who has not scored a senior goal for the club in over two years, as a late substitute.

Liverpool failed to equalise as a result, with Ings toiling away alongside Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.

Elsewhere, Solanke is yet to score for Liverpool since joining from Chelsea on a free transfer last summer, registering just one assist in 498 minutes in all competitions.

Sturridge is still Klopp’s most effective centre-forward option beyond Firmino, and Inter’s offer presents the German with a major decision before the deadline on January 31.

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