Liverpool's top 5 transfer targets for January

Liverpool have been known for spending lots of money in the transfer windows in recent years, with a whopping £163m spent on transfers last summer. Whilst for most clubs that would be the end of their spending for the season, Liverpool are known to have very deep pockets, so could be prepared to spend even more when the window opens next month.

As of writing, Liverpool are sitting at the top of the league with 42 points. They have a great deal of momentum going into January, so some might argue that to change the squad around now might affect proceedings from here on out. But others could suggest that new blood in the team, especially those who are quality players, could propel them even further for the remainder of the season.

The Reds have a strong squad, so trying to improve upon what they already have might prove difficult, but with the quality of players you'll find on this list, they might just be able to do that.

#5 Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)

Fulham FC v Crystal Palace - Premier League

Liverpool were strongly linked with Zaha back in the summer, but talks fell through after Palace demanded £70m for him. Shortly after that, he signed a new contract with Crystal Palace: a deal worth £130,000-per-week, which runs through to 2023.

Of course, contracts mean very little in this day and age - it just means a potential buyer must pay significantly more than usual to sign the player.

It's no secret that Jurgen Klopp has always admired Wilfried Zaha's style of play, and many agree that he would be a brilliant tactical fit at Anfield. Imagine Zaha joining the strikeforce of Salah, Firmino and Mane - they would simply be unstoppable.

Rumour probability: 6/10

If the £70m price tag remains intact in January, I can see Liverpool going for it. As I said, a player like Zaha would be indispensable to the current Liverpool squad based on the way it's set up. It revolves around speed, agility and an eye for goal - all of which are traits that Zaha has.

Chelsea and Arsenal were also rumoured to have shown interest in the Ivorian, however, so Liverpool might have a bidding war on the horizon.

#4 Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid vs Melilla - Copa del Rey - Fourth Round

For Liverpool to pull off this type of deal, they would have to pay a huge sum of money. Transfermarkt value the 22-year-old at £81m. This is probably the minimum amount a club would have to pay to pry Asensio away from Madrid in January; a final evaluation would probably notch a deal up to near £100m, realistically.

The Daily Mirror (via liverpoolfc.com) reported that Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been alerted to Asensio's situation at Madrid, with the fact that he's struggled so far making a deal all the more likely. In the article, it's claimed that Madrid's former boss, Lopetegui, was prepared to let him go - providing a club met the asking price.

Whether these demands will have changed now that Santiago Solari has taken Lopetegui's place remains to be seen. But one thing's for sure, the allure of the Premier League along with interest from a club as rich in history and size as Liverpool, could be very hard to resist.

Rumour probability: 4.5/10

Much of this deal depends upon how much money Liverpool have left in the bank to spend. £100m might stretch their balance just a little too far, so they would have to try and negotiate a final fee in the region of £80-90m, if they stand any realistic chance of getting their man in January.

#3 Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao)

Iker Muniain is another player who would slot perfectly into Liverpool's strikeforce alongside the likes of Salah, Firmino and Mane.

Whilst he's operated primarily on the wings for most of his career, he has been selected as a central striker in recent months, and has flourished in the role. His speed and agility come in handy when one-on-one with burly defenders or ponderous goalkeepers, and he'd do wonders for the Reds in the Premier League, provided he receives the right service.

Spanish media outlet Marca - as reported by TalkSPORT - said at the end of October that Liverpool had made an offer to sign Muniain for when his contract expires next summer. But nothing has come from this speculation since, but Liverpool's interest in the forward still remains.

Rumour probability: 7/10

Transfermarkt value the 25-year-old at just £9m, which would be an absolute bargain for the Reds. However, a more realistic figure would be closer to £20m - especially considering how important he is to Athletic Bilbao right now. But having said that, the fact he's yet to sign a new contract with the club, despite just six months remaining on his deal, suggests that he may be unhappy and open to a move.

If this is the case, Muniain would be more likely to make the switch next summer, rather than January, but it could go either way.

#2 Adrien Rabiot (Paris Saint-Germain)

Paris Saint-Germain v Manchester City FC - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: First Leg

The Daily Mirror (via liverpoolfc.com) reported that Liverpool have made a substantial offer for Adrien Rabiot to try and get the player before anyone else in January. His current contract expires next summer, which will undoubtedly attract a whole host of top-tier clubs to compete for his signature, but Liverpool intend to strike first and snatch him up as soon as possible.

This would mean that the Reds would need to pay close to his evaluation of £45m, instead of competing for him on a free once his contract expires, but this way, they'd be a lot more likely to sign him.

Rabiot is a strong central midfielder who would suit Liverpool's tactics, should he choose to go to Anfield next month.

Rumour probability: 5/10

PSG tabled fresh terms recently, which piqued interest from clubs like Manchester City, Chelsea and Barcelona, to name a few. Competition is hot for a player of Rabiot's calibre, so Liverpool have about as much chance as anyone else in the running for him.

#1 Suso

Liverpool have been linked with a £40m move for Suso for some time now. It's unbelievable to think that four years ago they actually had him in their squad, but sold him off to AC Milan for a mere £1m. The Reds have lived to rue this error ever since.

Suso is a dynamic forward, who tends to be played out on the right-wing, but can also play central when required. This is exactly the type of player that Klopp adores and would use frequently - especially with the way his current side is set up. Like Muniain and Zaha, Suso would become an indispensable member in the Liverpool line-up.

Transfermarkt value Suso at £36m, so a deal worth about £40m in total would be a realistic transfer in January. Also, Suso is still only 25 years old, so has plenty left to offer.

Rumour probability: 8/10

There's no doubt that the Premier League is far more prestigious than Serie A, so the chance to sign with Liverpool would be a very tempting opportunity for the Spaniard. Liverpool are also a much larger club than AC Milan, so playing at Anfield is naturally a better option than the San Siro.

Suso must be eager to finish what he started at Liverpool, so the likelihood of this deal being completed next month is fairly high.