Striker-starved Brendan Rodgers wants all his ducks in a row so the England international can move to Anfield in the first week of January
Liverpool have opened negotiations with Chelsea over a possible switch for Daniel Sturridge.
The Reds’ co-owners John Henry and Tom Werner are ready to back manager Brendan Rodgers in the January transfer window, and have already made overtures to the top brass at Stamford Bridge.
They have registered an interest in the £15million-rated England striker, and hope to move swiftly when the winter window opens at the turn of the year.
Rodgers will push hard to conclude any talks swiftly enough for him to get his man in the first week of January, as he wants to avoid a repeat of the problems endured in the summer.
The Liverpool boss was left in the lurch at the end of August when he allowed Andy Carroll to leave for West Ham on a season-long loan but was then denied the money to buy Fulham’s Clint Dempsey, who was sold to Spurs instead, as a replacement.
Rodgers has since made clear he wants to bring in two or three players in January, with a striker his biggest priority.
Sturridge tops his list, after failing to agree a loan deal to Anfield in the summer.
Chelsea want to sell because the young forward’s contract is ticking down and he would be able to engineer a move on a free transfer this time next year.
They are also looking to raise funds to help finance a widely anticipated January move for Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao.
Sturridge wants to leave the Bridge after being pushed down the pecking order by Fernando Torres – he has refused any talks over a new deal in his determination to go.
Liverpool have also made discreet enquiries about taking Jeffren, a former Barcelona striker who now plays with Sporting Lisbon, on loan.
Like Sturridge, the 24-year-old can operate as a wide man in a three-pronged forward line – Rodgers’ favoured line-up.
The Reds’ boss wants at least two reinforcements in those positions in January – after losing Fabio Borini to a broken foot injury, he’s been using full-back Jose Enrique as an emergency front-man.
Jeffren has fallen out of favour in Portugal, and has been told he can leave on loan if the offer suits his club.