With the January transfer window now less than three weeks away from opening, we take a look at five possible new recruits that the Reds are targeting in the new year.
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Will Hughes (Derby County)
The Merseysiders have been keeping close tabs on the young Derby starlet for the past 12 months now with a view to signing the player at some point in 2014.
However, with the England Under-21 international’s form having continued to catch the eye so far this season and with Hughes generally considered by many experts and judges alike to be one of the most impressive players currently plying their trade on the Continent, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is now thought to be seriously considering making a move for Hughes at the turn of the year.
But with Hughes, 18, contracted to the Pride Park outfit until June 30 2016, the Reds may need to really splash the cash in January in order to be able to persuade the high-flying Rams to part company with their star man.
Valmir Berisha (Halmstads)
The exciting young Swedish attacker has been making all the headlines of late after a string of impressive displays for his country at the recent Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, where the 17-year-old managed to find the back of the net on seven occasions in just seven matches for his country.
And now it appears as though the striker is ready to quit Halmstads when the winter transfer window opens next month, with Liverpool thought to be the player’s most likely next port of call, if reports in the Daily Mirror are to be believed that is, and this despite reported interest in Berisha from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Martin Montoya (FC Barcelona)
The Reds are currently in urgent need of cover in the left-back position at Anfield for the second half of this campaign after the serious knee injury picked up by first-choice full-back Jose Enrique recently, with the Spaniard not expected to be back in action until February at the earliest after having an operation to cure the problem.
And that is now likely to force Liverpool head coach Brendan Rodgers back into the transfer market in January in the search for a new defender, with the young Spaniard understood to currently be top of the Northern Irishman’s wish list.
In fact, it is believed that the club’s managing director, Ian Ayre, has already flown to Catalunya to conduct face-to-face talks with representatives from the La Liga champions over a possible deal for the 22-year-old in January, says the Daily Mirror.
Everton Ribeiro (Cruzeiro)
Liverpool are understood to be ready to go head to head with arch-rivals Manchester United in the battle to land the exciting Brazilian midfield player in the new year, according to reports in the Daily Mail, after the 24-year-old’s brilliant performances for his club side in the national state championship.
Ribeiro is now considered to be the brightest talent currently playing in Brazil following the recent departure of playmaker Neymar to FC Barcelona last summer, with the player said to be keen to now finally make his own move to the Continent when the winter transfer window opens in January.
However, the Merseysiders know that they will face stiff competition for Ribeiro’s signature from the Premier League champions, who have also been scouting the former Brazil Under-2o international themselves of late.
Lee Nicholls (Wigan Athletic)
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is known to want to recruit a younger back-up keeper than Aussie Brad Jones for current first-choice Simon Mignolet at Anfield going forward, and the shot stopper that the Irishman is said to be targeting is Wigan’s one-time England U19 international, claims the Daily Mirror.
The Reds have by all accounts been sending scouts to the DW stadium to watch the 21-year-old in action first hand with a view to making a move for the Latics No 1, who has a contract with the Championship side that runs until June 30 2015, at some point when the January window opens again.
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