Liverpool: Sturridge & Ince Deals Done?

An overwhelming number of leading media sources are reporting that Liverpool are closing in on two of their top transfer targets...

It appears that Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers may be set to sign two new players as soon as the transfer window reopens next month.

The Independent, Guardian and Daily Post are amongst those widely reporting that Daniel Sturridge and Thomas Ince are on the verge of moves to Anfield worth a combined £18m.

It has been no secret that Liverpool plan to be active in the transfer market come January, particularly for attacking reinforcements, with the club currently overly reliant on Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez.

Chelsea forward Sturridge, who is keen to leave Stamford Bridge in the pursuit of first team opportunities, has been a well documented target for the Reds previously with Rodgers unsuccessfully attempting to acquire the 23-year-old on loan during the summer.

Ince, who plays in the Championship for Blackpool, is perhaps a more surprising option considering he only left Liverpool last summer after three years in the academy setup where he experienced only one brief taste of first team action in the League Cup.

The 20-year-old has subsequently impressed however and notched an impressive 21 goals in 61 appearances at Bloomfield Road. Ince's fine form has led to a number of England U21 caps and the winger is now thought to be keen to test himself at a higher level.

The combined £18m fee is said to equate to £12m for Sturridge and £6m for Ince, although the cost of the latter could be partly offset by clauses emanating from his previous transfer between Liverpool and Blackpool.

Vital Verdict
If true this will be a very good double swoop by the club. Both players are young, talented, hungry and will obviously not have to cope with the additional issues faced when purchasing foreign players (their adapting to a new league, language, culture etc). The fees quoted also seem reasonable when taking everything into account, especially so if the deal for Ince actually involves less cash changing hands than indicated because of the contractual clauses. It is abundantly clear that we need to strengthen our attacking options and both players would help fulfil this aspiration. They also, on paper at least, seemingly fit Rodgers' preferred tactics and formation with speed, stamina and technical ability amongst both players' list of strengths.

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