Daniel Sturridge's Liverpool career will undoubtedly come to an abrupt end this summer when he finally parts with the Merseyside club. The England international has struggled to recapture the form he showed under Brendan Rodgers since Jurgen Klopp has taken the reigns at Anfield, and his career is in desperate need of change.
Sturridge joined Liverpool in January 2013 from rivals Chelsea. However, his stint at Anfield looks set to come to a close following a public fall-out with Klopp over playing time, and style of play.
But where could the Englishman apply his trade next season? Make no mistake about it, if the England international opts to leave Anfield, there will be various suitors queuing up for his signature - despite his injury woes.
Also read: Daniel Sturridge's slump: From first-choice striker to enigmatic dilemma at Liverpool
Sturridge's goalscoring exploits - regardless of his injuries - would see many managers hoping to secure a deal for the former Manchester City forward. But who are those managers that are likely to pursue a deal for Sturridge in July?
It's time to take a look at five clubs that should be pushing for a move for Sturridge in the summer.
#1 West Ham
Another injury-prone English striker at West Ham to add to their injury woes? Without a doubt. The Hammers are in desperate need of some reinforcements in attack and Sturridge is the perfect candidate for Slaven Bilic.
When you consider the fact that Bilic was ready to fork out a whopping £13.5million on Brentford's unproven Premier League striker, Scott Hogan, then stumping up another £5million for Sturridge could be deemed a bargain.
The London Stadium is slowly becoming home for the Irons in recent months, but for the club to qualify for Europe once again, players like Sturridge would be the crucial component necessary to bridge the barrier between themselves and the top six.
#2 Southampton
The Saints’ biggest problem this campaign has been the lack of a natural goalscorer. Shane Long, Nathan Redmond, and Jay Rodriguez have all contributed to the Saints' success this campaign, but the trio lacks the cutting edge to ensure they continue their annual progression.
Sturridge should consider a club the size of Southampton as a positive move figuring the lack of success he's having with Jurgen Klopp. Under the management of Claude Puel, Sturridge would have the one component he's lacked his entire career by becoming the much-coveted number one forward, loved and adored by all.
Having knocked Liverpool out of the Capital One Cup semi-final recently, Sturridge witnessed first hand just what the south-coast club are capable of achieving with an underfired squad. So, with the 27-year-old amongst the ranks, just what exactly could Southampton achieve?
In front of 32,000 supporters on a weekly basis, the Saints could provide the home the forward has craved for years. With fans cheering his name, brilliant playmakers providing him with chances on a plate, and expert wing-play, the striker would thrive at St. Mary's.
Southampton have been previously linked with a move for Sturridge, and now is the time for the club to capitalise.
#3 Newcastle
Unless Rafa Benitez's side somehow manages to throw away their chances of promotion from the Championship, Newcastle are going to be a Premier League team next season. The North-East outfit are going to require the necessary reinforcements to guarantee they survive in the Premier League, following relegation in 2016.
The Spaniard would provide Sturridge with a home at a club with the unbelievable magnitude to shine and become a success. Historically, Newcastle's number nine shirt has been reserved for forwards capable of providing the Toon supporters with 20+ goals on an annual basis. Players such as Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand, and most recently Dwight Gayle have coveted the traditional jersey that has brought surreal joy.
But what exactly would Rafa Benitez and Newcastle offer Sturridge? The club is now entering into a new era where proven Premier League quality is necessary to ensure another relegation doesn't occur. Nonetheless, surviving relegation won't be just the priority for the Toon Army, as for more than a decade in the late 1990s, and early 2000s, Champions League football was what the club desired. Is this where Daniel Sturridge would want to be?
That would be undeniable. It's probably the one club where Sturridge could make a name for himself, score 20 goals a season, and become a cult-hero in a major city. Not to mention that the club has the potential to challenge the big six as well.
Newcastle and Sturridge is a match made in heaven. With a world-class manager like Rafa Benitez providing Sturridge with the opportunity, the success the duo could conjure up for the Toon would be phenomenal.
#4 Leicester City
Champions Leicester are in a real rut at the moment, and unless they can finally bring proven Premier League quality into the fold, they may suffer a similar fate as Blackburn in 1999 when they suffered relegation despite winning the league just four years earlier.
Claudio Ranieri is now facing the wrath of supporters, who are desperate for an ounce of the success that the club achieved so remarkably last season. Signing a player with the quality Daniel Sturridge possesses would be a fundamental factor in the Foxes achieving success once more.
Unlike last season, Jamie Vardy is struggling in front of goal, and new signing Ahmed Musa has struggled to find his feet in the Premier League following his mega-move from CSKA Moscow this summer.
Struggling for goals, Sturridge would flourish in the Leicester side that plays with such pace and penetration from wide players. Whether it be in a partnership or as the lone striker, Sturridge's clever movement, lethal finishing and extreme burst of pace would guarantee him success at the King Power Stadium.
When you consider the fact that Leicester recently spent £30million on Islam Slimani and £18million on Ahmed Musa, inevitably coughing up £20million for Sturridge is a no-brainer for Ranieri.
#5 Beijing Sinobo Guoan
It wouldn’t come as a surprise to witness Daniel Sturridge swap the beauty of Merseyside for the wonders of China this winter. The Chinese Super League commences in just a few short weeks, and the capital’s biggest team are looking to finance a mega-money move for a marquee forward to assist in their bid to claim the Chinese Super League trophy.
Would a striker in the prime years of his career opt to swap regular Premier League football for Chinese mediocrity? Why not? Unlike the Premier League, the CSL is not renowned for the physicality and speed that dominates the majority of games. Sturridge has regularly struggled to maintain his fitness during this time because of the intensity of English football, and niggling injuries continue to occur.
Chinese football, in the end, might be seen as an attractive proposition. The large financial package he would receive would establish himself for many years beyond his retirement, the weaker physical demands could prolong his career, and also, not many top English clubs would be willing to create a role for Sturridge like he would desire – predominately becoming their number one player.
