Liverpool plan double raid on Bundesliga

Liverpool are stepping up their bid to beef up their attack before the January transfer window closes by planning a double raid on the Bundesliga.

With Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez serving an eight-match and Kop flop Andy Carroll being on the verge of being offloaded, Reds boss Kenny Dalglish is mulling his options as they prepare for a double assault on the League Cup and FA Cup.

Thus it is no surprise that Liverpool have lined up Werder Bremen winger Marko Marin and Borussia Dortmund striker Luca Barrios, according to the Sunday People.

In fact Anfield director of football Damien Comolli identified Marin – German, but of Serbian descent – more than a year ago and Liverpool are understood to have failed in a bid to sign the winger last summer.

The Werder Bremen star, who has been described as the German Lionel Messi, would cost at least £18 million if he were to leave the Bundesliga outfit, according to the Daily Star.

Now they are trying to revive the a deal for a fee of around £12 million but time is running out before the window closes on Tuesday night.

Spurs and Inter Milan have also been linked with Marin, 22.

But Carling Cup finalists Liverpool are said to be showing the strongest interest.

Marin, who appeared for Germany in the last World Cup in South Africa, has played 16 times for his country.

The Reds have only one recognised winger in Stewart Downing, signed from Aston Villa last summer.

Dalglish is also in the market for a striker. Hence the interest in Barrios, 27, who has fallen out with the German club’s coach Jurgen Klopp and is no longer a first-choice starter, despite being one of the Bundesliga’s hottest properties a couple of years ago.

Liverpool scouts as well as QPR talent-spotters, have been in contact with Dortmund to register their interest to see whether Borussia fancy sending the Paraguayan into the shop window on loan for the rest of the season.

The asking price is reported to be around £10 million.

Neither Liverpool nor QPR are willing to pay that much now but would take Barrios on a loan basis – with an option to buy him in the summer if he does well.

They face opposition from French giants Marseille  who are prepared to pay a fee.

Dalglish remains keen on England frontman Darren Bent but has been given no encouragement by Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish.

Anfield insiders say Liverpool are seeking a top striker on loan to get them through the season in their bid to try and gatecrash the Champions League.
 

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