Huntelaar Set For Cut-Price January Move?

Despite the transfer window being closed, there is always transfer gossip doing the rounds in the papers and we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest news during the coming months. Today, interest mounts in Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

Liverpool will try and fend off stiff competition from their Premier League rivals to land Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar this January, according to the Daily Mail.

Brendan Rodgers is desperate to add more fire-power to his side after failing to sign a replacement for Andy Carroll – who joined West Ham on loan – in the summer.

The Northern Irishman has also lost summer signing Fabio Borini for three months through injury and Rodgers recently made no secret of his desire to add a striker to his ranks when the window re-opens this winter and confirmed he’s drawing up a short-list of targets.

The Reds boss has been alerted to the potential availability of Dutch striker Huntelaar after contract talks with Schalke broke down.

The 29-year-old is in the final year of his current deal and has so far refused to sign an extension. Talks with Schalke have been postponed until late November at the earilest and if the situation doesn’t change in the coming months, he will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs in January.

Several clubs throughout Europe have been credited with interest including Premier League trio Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham. However, Liverpool are ready beat their rivals to the prolific hitman and are keen on agreeing a cut-price deal with Schalke that would see them sign the player in January.

Arsenal transfer news | Liverpool transfer news | Man Utd transfer news | Spurs transfer news

The signing of Huntelaar would be something of a coup for Liverpool should they manage to pull it off, especially given the fact they cannot guarantee him champions league football.

The Dutchman has shown himself to be a natural goalscorer wherever he’s played. Career stats of 253 goals in just 385 games are testament to that.

However, it won’t be easy for Rodgers to sign such a talented player without a fight. Arsenal and Tottenham are both thought to be in the market for a goal-scorer and Manchester United could also enter the fray if they lose Javier Hernandez – who’s been linked with a move away from the club after failing to secure a first team place at old Trafford – while clubs in Italy have also been linked.

Would you like Huntelaar at your club? Get involved in the comments section.

Fancy a flutter on the game? Claim your £10 welcome bonus at Sky Bet and enjoy some of the best match odds in the business.