Liverpool and Southampton could be involved in a bit of business. While the Reds normally purchase players from the club on the south coast, this time it is Southampton who are looking to sign Daniel Sturridge on loan.
According to reports from the Express, Claude Puel is looking to strengthen his side and is looking to sign the out of favour Liverpool striker on loan in January. The Saints would be looking to make the deal permanent at the end of the season with a bid of £25million for the English striker.
Sturridge has fallen down the pecking order at the Merseyside club and has not scored in the Premier League yet. Jurgen Klopp has preferred playing Roberto Firmino as the man striker, and the Brazilian has formed a great partnership with Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho at the club.
There are a few other clubs who are linked with a move for Sturridge with Stoke City and West Ham also interested.
A makeweight for a mega deal from Southampton
The Reds are also in the market for a quality central defender and are set to target Virgil van Dijk of Southampton as well. The Dutch defender has been one of the best players at the club since joining from Celtic and his stock is certainly rising.
Van Dijk did a great job in the heart of the defence as the Reds were held to a 0-0 draw by Southampton in their last Premier League clash. Klopp’s side are also interested in the signing of left-back Sam McQueen and he sees the 21-year-old as the perfect player to usurp James Milner.
The Englishman has been playing out of position all season and the Southampton youngster could be a better option than Alberto Moreno as well.
The Daily Star also believes that the German manager is willing to spend £40 million on the pair and Sturridge’s move would certainly help Liverpool out in that respect.
Even though many outlets are claiming that Sturridge could leave in January, it would not be a smart move from Klopp. Liverpool will be without Sadio Mane as he would be leaving for African Cup of Nations duty and the injury to Danny Ings does make the cover for the forwards really thin at the club.
Sturridge probably could be leaving the club at the end of the season and Van Dijk joining Liverpool would not be a big surprise. Southampton do have a history of selling players and if the right bid is made, the Dutch defender would be playing for the Merseyside club next season.
The future of the Englishman safe for now but it will be a completely different story come the summer transfer window.
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