Daniel Sturridge considering move abroad with Real Betis and Valencia interested as striker struggles for regular game time at Liverpool

  • Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is willing to consider a move abroad in January
  • Sturridge has struggled for regular game time at Anfield so far this season 
  • La Liga clubs among those interested and Sturridge is said to be open to a move

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is willing to consider a move abroad in the January window, with the likes of Real Betis and Valencia particularly keen.

Sources say the England international is open to the opportunity of playing in Europe as he looks to play more regularly.

Sturridge, who sat out Sunday's Merseyside derby with a slight hamstring injury, has been fit for the majority of the season with Jurgen Klopp saying the 28-year-old is in the best physical condition he has seen since the German took charge at Anfield.

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is willing to consider a move abroad in the January window

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is willing to consider a move abroad in the January window

Yet, though Sturridge is widely regarded as the best natural finisher at Liverpool, Klopp's preferred go-to man in attack has been Roberto Firmino with Dominic Solanke also coming into the picture.


Sturridge was given a rare start in a cagey game against Chelsea last month but was taken off after Liverpool went 1-0 up. Short of match sharpness, Sturridge struggled to make an impact and staff recognise he needs a run of games to develop any rhythm. Unfortunately, Klopp seems to lack trust in Sturridge's ability to do so.

Sturridge naturally is keen to play to have any chance of making England's World Cup squad but those opportunities will be hard to come by at Anfield.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has given opportunities to Dominic Solanke in recent matches

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has given opportunities to Dominic Solanke in recent matches

Liverpool and Klopp have acknowledged that Sturridge should be playing but conversely are reluctant to sell as replacing a player of his quality could be even more costly in January. They would also want a considerable fee, however, Betis and Valencia are hoping Liverpool may consider allowing him to leave on loan.

Danny Ings has returned from injury and Adam Lallana is back training to give Klopp other forward options which the Spanish clubs hope will help Liverpool determine that Sturridge can go. Valencia have also discussed Everton striker Sandro and Kevin Gameiro at Atletico Madrid.

 

Chelsea scouts checked on Augsburg left-back Philipp Max on Sunday night. The pacy 24-year-old was outstanding in their 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin and impressed onlookers with Manchester United also represented in the stands.

The Olympic silver medallist has been one of the success stories of Augsburg's season with his consistent performances pushing him into the reckoning for Germany's World Cup squad.

Chelsea have Juventus left-back Alex Sandro as their prime target but with competition from Manchester United and Paris St Germain they have checked on other options too including Porto's Alex Telles.

However, reviews about Max's form and his fitness prompted staff to watch him on Sunday night. Tottenham and Everton have also watched Max in recent weeks, who has a similar attacking style to Luke Shaw at Manchester United.

Chelsea scouts checked on in-demand Augsburg left-back Philipp Max on Sunday night

Chelsea scouts checked on in-demand Augsburg left-back Philipp Max on Sunday night

 

West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho is a target for Premier League chasing Cardiff City.

The 27-year-old saw a move to Rennes fall through in the summer and is still keen to leave for more regular football.

Sakho came on as a substitute in David Moyes' first win against Chelsea last Saturday and has scored three goals this season but wants a change of environment.

Cardiff are ambitious to get out of the Championship and return to the Premier League and manager Neil Warnock has pinpointed Sakho as a man to help them. They are second in the table behind Wolves and have managed to keep up the chase despite the absence of striker Kenneth Zohore.

Warnock believes Sakho can give them the boost they need but West Ham will want £12million for the Senegal international.

West Ham have an interest in signing Fyodor Smolov from Krasnodar and are also understood to been offered Aleksandar Mitrovic from Newcastle. David Moyes' prime concern is to strengthen his midfield and defence however.

West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho is a target for Premier League chasing Cardiff City

West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho is a target for Premier League chasing Cardiff City

 

Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw will be staying at Old Trafford in January despite interest from other Premier League clubs.

The England international is aware he still needs to convince manager Jose Mourinho of his long-term future but remains intent on trying to prove he can play regularly for United.

Shaw returned to the first team last week and is looking at ways of improving his diet and fitness in a bid to improve and stay in Mourinho's plans.

Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw will be staying at Old Trafford despite interest

Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw will be staying at Old Trafford despite interest

 

Newcastle have been offered Kiko Casilla from Real Madrid, who has made ten appearances this season as understudy to Keylor Navas.

The goalkeeper is surplus to requirements as Madrid look to bring in Kepa from Athletic Bilbao next month and was a target for Rafa Benitez last summer.

The 31-year-old was signed from Espanyol in 2015 for £4.2million but the European champions will consider allowing him to go on loan or even a free transfer.

Newcastle have been offered Kiko Casilla by Real Madrid where he is Keylor Navas' understudy

Newcastle have been offered Kiko Casilla by Real Madrid where he is Keylor Navas' understudy

 

Arsenal are reluctant to let Olivier Giroud leave in January. The 31-year-old has been warned he needs to play more regularly if he is to have any chance of making he France World Cup squad.

Everton and Borussia Dortmund were keen in the summer and remain admirers but Giroud's family had been reluctant to move to Merseyside in particular.

Arsenal would still consider substantial offers even though Giroud continues to prove effective from the bench. Sunday's equaliser against Southampton was the 17th time he had scored after coming on as a substitute.

Arsenal are reluctant to let Olivier Giroud leave in January, despite his need for game time

Arsenal are reluctant to let Olivier Giroud leave in January, despite his need for game time

 

Celtic are monitoring Red Bull Leipzig defender Marvin Compper ahead of a potential January move.

The 32-year-old will be allowed to leave the Bundesliga side next month and is one of a number of options Celtic have watched recently.

Dundee's Jack Hendry is also on their wishlist but the 22-year-old has increasing interest from Southampton, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United.

Celtic also want Lewis Morgan from St Mirren, who has interest from Preston North End and Nottingham Forest.

Celtic are monitoring Red Bull Leipzig defender Marvin Compper ahead of a potential move

Celtic are monitoring Red Bull Leipzig defender Marvin Compper ahead of a potential move

 

West Bromwich Albion will consider a bid for Red Star Belgrade striker Richmond Boakye, after manager lan Pardew has confirmed he will look at striking options.

Scouts watched him against Cologne in the Europa League last Thursday, as reported by Sportsmail. The 24-year-old Ghana international has also been watched by Chelsea, Everton and Rennes after scoring 17 goals for club and country this season.

Albion having scored just 12 goals in 16 Premier League games this campaign, and Pardew said: 'January is not far away and we are going to have to look at that area if we can’t increase our goalscoring ratio.'

West Bromwich Albion will consider a bid for Red Star Belgrade striker Richmond Boakye

West Bromwich Albion will consider a bid for Red Star Belgrade striker Richmond Boakye

 

Leeds United have agreed a deal with Japan international Yosuke Ideguchi but issues remain over his work permit.

The 21-year-old from Gamba Osaka may have to be loaned to another European club before gaining the required permit, potentially postponing his arrival at Elland Road until next season.

Meanwhile, Leeds are giving a trial to Glenavon's 14-year-old goalkeeper Conner Byrne. The highly-rated teenager has also been invited to train with Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United.

Byrne made his first team debut for Glenavon against Portadown last month and has been capped at U16 level by Northern Ireland.

Leeds have agreed deal for Japan international Yosuke Ideguchi but work permit issues remain

Leeds have agreed deal for Japan international Yosuke Ideguchi but work permit issues remain

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