Liverpool transfer news: Reds eyeing record bid for La Liga star, £50m rated winger to undergo medical and more - 7th January 2018
Liverpool want Jan Oblak
According to reports in the Daily Star, Liverpool are planning a sensational swoop for Atletico Madrid shot-stopper Jan Oblak. Jurgen Klopp is reportedly interested in using the funds received from Philippe Coutinho's departure to strengthen their troublesome goalkeeping position. The Reds have been let down by the performances of Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius in recent times, with neither of them showing consistency between the sticks.
Oblak is considered as one of the best players in his department at the moment and has been attracting interest from a number of clubs including Paris-Saint Germain. The Slovenian is one of Diego Simeone's key players at the Wanda Metropolitano and his release clause stands at a whopping £100m.
Liverpool have been boosted financially by the departure of Coutinho and if the reports are to be believed, the Reds are willing to match the 25-year-old's release clause in a bid to bring him to the Premier League. If the deal goes through, Oblak will become the world's most expensive goal-keeper surpassing Ederson who joined Manchester City in the summer for a reported fee of £34m.
Riyad Mahrez set for a medical with Liverpool
Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez will undergo a medical with Liverpool today ahead of the proposed £49m move, according to the Metro. Liverpool are on the lookout for more additions to strengthen their squad following the departure of Philippe Coutinho and have reportedly identified the Algerian as a primary target during the January transfer window.
Mahrez has impressed for Leicester in recent months and several Premier Leagues have been keeping tabs on the winger after persistent rumours about his future at the King Power Stadium. However, it is now believed that Liverpool have stolen a march for the signature of the player after he agreed a four-and-a-half-year contract with the Reds.
Mahrez is no stranger to the Premier League and was named PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2015/16 for his contribution towards Leicester's historic title win under Claudio Ranieri.
If the rumours are to be true, Leicester have accepted the offer for their star man and Mahrez will travel to Melwood ahead of the proposed medical after which we can expect a formal announcement from the club.
Brendan Rodgers eyeing a move for Daniel Sturridge
According to various reports, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers wants to offer an escape route out of Anfield to Liverpool outcast Daniel Sturridge. The duo worked together during Rodgers' tenure with the English giants and came ever so close to winning the title in 2014 owing to some stunning performances from a number of players including Sturridge.
However, three years later, both of them are miles apart and have had contrasting fortunes over the last few years. Rodgers guided Celtic to an unbeaten domestic treble while Sturridge has struggled to replicate the same form due to recurring injuries, resulting in him falling down the pecking order under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
Celtic are believed to be the latest club to join the race to acquire Sturridge's services in January but the only factor that can derail the chances of the deal is the striker's hefty payroll. The 28-year-old is earning around £125,000 per week at Liverpool and will have to take a significant pay-cut to become available for the likes of Celtic and Southampton, who are also believed to be interested.