Firstly, can the 'transfer rumours' thread become a sticky thread again? It makes much more sense and would be hugely active coming into January. Until then, this thread itself could be a place to put all our gossip. I think we all agree we should be targeting another striker, a winger and perhaps a defensive midfielder. Rumours recently have included: Mesut Ozil, Real Madrid, £16-25M This seems highly unrealistic, with the only plausibility coming from his supposed problems with the Madrid management. He'd be a blockbuster signing, showing real ambition, and would bring composure and fluidity to our attacking play. I imagine he'd link with Suarez well, but he would have to play in an advanced midfield role, in a 4-5-1 or a 4-2-3-1 to be effective, surely? Lukas Podolski, 1. FC Koln, £15-20M Slightly more realistic, he's been linked with us and Arsenal. He would seemingly tick all the boxes - can play wide or up front, electric pace and bags of ability. He's 26 and has 95 caps for Germany, scoring an incredible 43 goals in that time. He's a player I'd love to see at Anfield - he really could be a sensation in the Premier League. Would he move? Cheick Tiote, Newcastle United, £15-20M He's 25, undoubtedly a big player at Newcastle and would replace Lucas directly in midfield. A move in January is reported to be worth at least £20M to the Toon but I can't see us spending that much on him (Andy who?). Personally I'd give him a miss - the boys an animal but we need cultured players to pass and move, even from the back. Eden Hazard, Lille, £30-45M Firstly, I'd like to say two things. One - Hazard is extremely, and I cannot stress this enough, extremely unlikely to join Liverpool at the moment. Second - he would be the ideal signing that would revitalise our entire campaign and future prospects. The boy has everything - pace, shot, skill to succeed, and fits the young talent bracket we're looking for. I believe that whilst he may prefer the likes of Madrid, if he is available we have the personnel and the monetary backing to land him. It's most likely however that he will leave in the summer. Shinji Kagawa, Borussia Dortmund, £15-20M Rumours are really heating up for this one in Germany. Kagawa is quick and clever, and would add incisive passing and guile to our final third play. He's young, would attract a huge Japanese/Asian audience to the club and is quality - we should really try for him. From a first XI/bench role for the German champions last season he made 37 apps, scoring 15 times and assisting 5 times. Remember his role was also occupied by Sahin, now at Real Madrid. I'd like to throw a few more names in the hat: Adam Johnson, Manchester City, £16-20M English, young(ish), undoubtedly talented. He'd solve our problems on the wings and provide a genuine goal threat. However, he's signed a new deal at City and is performing for them when called upon. Would he leave? We can offer regular football at a level just below City (for now). Junior Hoilett, Blackburn Rovers, £10-20M Blackburn are, obviously, in both financial and sporting trouble. Big trouble. If there is a firesale, or an opportunity, the vultures will descend and Hoilett is the best pick by a country mile. He's 21, buckets of pace, quick feet. He needs to improve his passing and all round end product but could be a decetnt signing. He might be costly, especially with Spurs interested, but can Blackburn really hold on to him if he decides he's interested? He'd be great on the cheap (relatively speaking). Lucho Gonzales, Marseilles, £1-5M He's getting old and is out of favour in France. Declined the opportunity to move to Arsenal in the summer, leading to their signing of Arteta. Very talented deep playmaker, could give us a more attacking alternative to Lucas. Criminally ignored by Argentina for years. Remember to take this all in good sport. Any ideas for a striker in January outside of those mentioned?
What rumours have been circulating? I mentioned his name in another thread but didn't think we would be linked with him. I would absolutely love this guy at the club, by far the best asian player out there. Most of the names you put out are realistic targets apart from Ozil and Hazard who seems to have a lot of interest from other top clubs. I would absolutely love it if we signed Tiote. Mainly because the Geordies have been so bitter since we bought Carroll and Enrique. They rate him very highly and absolutely love the fella...you can guarantee if we signed him they would be all like.,."ah well he was **** anyway". Guaranteed.
kagawa rumour links... http://www.theweek.co.uk/football/1711/liverpool-chase-japanese-midfielder-shinji-kagawa http://www.footybunker.com/liverpool-hoping-for-one-of-two-bundesliga-players/13906 http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/liverpool-rival-man-utd-arsenal-shinji-kagawa-1919831
I think we're looking at the wrong Newcastle player, Tiote leaves for the ACON which wouldn't really be ideal with Lucas out. But Demba Ba cannot stop scoring! we all know we need a goal scoring striker and he really does tick all the boxes On the other hand.. Newcastle striker with little experience in the Premier league... Scoring bags of goals.. Big and tall.. Hmmm!
I kept looking wistfully at demba ba; big but not lumbering : pacey, aggressive round the box. Maybe we can say there was a screw up with the paper work & that's who we meant to buy?
In theory the perfect partner for Suarez Newcastle will demand a very high price, they know we're in the market for a striker and of course prices are always inflated in January. Although he's not British which should bring down the price
