Inter target Liverpool flop as replacement for outbound Sneijder

Liverpool are hopeful that Inter Milan can strike a deal for their Turkish loanee Nuri Sahin as the infrequently featured Real Madrid star is taking up valuable space on the Anfield wage bill.

Brendan Rodgers is keen to bolster his attacking options now the transfer window is open and with the Reds barely utilising the former German Player of the Year, his gargantuan salary is one they can do without.

Inter’s interest in Sahin is thought to be high with their resident playmaker Wesley Sneijder set to leave the club following a well-publicised pay dispute with the San Siro club.

If they can ship the Dutch star off then a move for the Real Madrid outcast could well be on the cards and there are likely to be few complaints made by the Merseysiders as they seek to acquire more important targets.

Sahin has made as little as 12 appearances in Liverpool’s famous red jersey, just seven coming in the Premier League, and his departure could enable the club to conclude deals for both Daniel Sturridge and Thomas Ince.

Their move for Sturridge is expected to go ahead regardless, with the England international having already undergone a medical, yet a £12m transfer fee plus another sizeable outlay in the wage department could well tie up all their available resources and put any bid for Blackpool sensation Ince on the backburner.

It is reported that the Tangerines would demand a fee of £6m for the man who Liverpool allowed to move to Bloomfield Road for a nominal fee back in 2011. His contract is due for expiry in the summer, but with no shortage of suitors keen on the Championship’s biggest star they may have to strike while the iron is hot in January to steal a march on their rivals.

A strengthening of the attacking options would undoubtedly improve Liverpool’s wavering hopes of securing a top-four berth – which they’re priced at 12/1 to achieve with Ladbrokes – and cutting short Sahin’s loan may well be the only way they can go about doing this.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date