Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers hopes to land England international this month.
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Liverpool are said to be ready to meet Sunderland’s asking price for winger Adam Johnson with Brendan Rodgers keen to bring the former Man City man to Anfield.
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CaughtOffside understands that the Black Cats are ready to cash in on the England international, who despite his recent hat-trick against Fulham has had a very inconsistent season, with Rodgers ready to fork out the £14m needed to land the wide-man.
Liverpool may attempt to pick up Johnson on a loan deal until the end of the current campaign, which will cost the Merseyside club around £2m, with a view to splashing out on a deal to bring in the 26 year old on a permanent deal at the end of the season.
Rodgers will be backed in this month’s transfer market as the club’s American owners look to make funds available to help assist Liverpool’s push for a top four finish and Champions League qualification.
Johnson may well be keen on a fresh challenge having arguably failed to make the most of his obvious potential with moves to Man City and Sunderland and with Gus Poyet’s side struggling at the wrong end of the table there is perhaps even more reason to consider a Stadium of Light exit.
A high-profile move could also re-ignite the winger’s push for a place in Roy Hodgson’s 2014 World Cup squad, perhaps further boosted by the long term injury suffered by Arsenal’s Theo Walcott.
Rodgers is keen to bring in another attacking option in view of the poor displays put in by loaned in Chelsea star Victor Moses and the Liverpool boss is also ready to offload summer signing Iago Aspas.
Liverpool may also consider offering Italian Fabio Borini as a sweetener in any deal to sign Johnson, with the striker currently on loan at Sunderland.
Adam Johnson has scored 11 goals in 63 appearances for Sunderland since his £10m move back in August 2012, prior to which he netted 15 goals in 97 games for Man City, of which 43 were from the bench.
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