• The 28-year-old is surplus to requirements at Anfield • Liverpool would prefer a permanent transfer for forward

Internazionale are the latest club to register interest in Daniel Sturridge but may need Liverpool to accept a loan deal to secure the striker this month.

Sturridge has found himself surplus to requirements at Anfield this season, making only nine league appearances this season, and Liverpool would prefer permanent offers for a player who can earn up to £150,000 a week on a heavily incentivised contract.

Transfer window January 2018 – every deal in Europe's top five leagues Read more

A sizeable transfer fee plus the lucrative salary has deterred several clubs, however, including Real Betis, although Inter are exploring the possibility of signing the 28‑year‑old on loan. Sevilla are also understood to have had a loan request turned down. They would still have to pay a significant loan fee and Sturridge’s salary to sign him until the end of the season, providing Liverpool allow a temporary departure. A deal is currently a long way from being agreed.

Sturridge has scored 63 goals in 133 appearances for Liverpool since arriving for £12m from Chelsea five years agoWhile he was an integral part of the team that almost won the Premier League under Brendan Rodgers, his Anfield career has been beset by injuries. He last appeared for Jürgen Klopp’s team in the 7-0 Champions League rout of Spartak Moscow on 6 December.

Liverpool have allowed Marko Grujic to join Cardiff City on loan until the end of the season. The Serbian midfielder has made only six appearances for the first team this season and, despite interest from Premier League clubs including Huddersfield Town, Klopp wanted the 21-year-old to drop into the Championship in search of a regular starting role.