Liverpool are reported to be close to signing Gonzalo Higuain for about £30 million after they missed out on Xherdan Shaqiri as they try to shuffle their attacking forces by shipping out Mario Balotelli.

Brendan Rodgers had said that Balotelli, who came on halfway through the second half of Liverpool’s victory at Sunderland, would not be leaving Anfield this month, but the likelihood of the £16m Italian striker ending his miserable spell in England increased when Paris Saint-Germain joined Olympiakos in expressing an interest in taking the unpredictable player on loan.

PSG are restricted by Uefa’s Financial Fair Play rules, so a loan move for Balotelli could appeal, with two of their forwards, Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi, attracting transfer rumours.

Rodgers has said he would interested in any players who could improve his squad. Higuain falls into that category, and the chances of the Argentina striker moving on from Napoli, where the former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is in charge, rose when the Serie A side signed Manolo Gabbiadini from Sampdoria.

Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Show all 14 1 /14 Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Petr Cech With Simon Mignolet unconvincing and Brad Jones a deputy lacking clout, Liverpool need a new goalkeeper. Chelsea stopper Cech is looking for a new home having been pushed into second place by Thibaut Courtois and could be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge if he really pushes for it. One of the best goalkeepers in the world, despite currently warming the bench, Chelsea will be reluctant to let him join a Premier League rival. GETTY IMAGES Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Guillermo Ochoa According to some reports a £3m deal has already been thrashed out for Malaga stopper Ochoa. Interest in the 29-year-old was huge in the summer after a string of impressive performances at the World Cup with Mexico. The then free agent opted for a move to Spain but has struggled since. EPA/MAURICIO DUENAS Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window John Ruddy Another keeper linked with a move to Anfield is Ruddy. The 28-year-old just missed out on a place in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the World Cup but remains a well rated stopper. With Norwich currently plying their trade in the Championship after relegation last term, a quick return to the top-flight would be appealing. GETTY IMAGES Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Sergio Romero Sampdoria goalkeeper Sergio Romero will be out of contract in the summer which has led to reports over where he will be playing in the near future. The Argentina international, who was part of the side that finished runners-up in the 2014 World Cup, has also been linked with Manchester City. Getty Images Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Ron Vlaar Defending was not an area in which Liverpool excelled last season, despite their title tilt, so consequently Brendan Rodgers made moves to address the problem during the summer. However, it hasn't worked particularly well and Liverpool are understood to be keen to add reinforcements. Aston Villa centre-back Vlaar is a man in demand due to his consistent performances and the fact his contract will expire at the end of the season. Getty Images Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Fabio Coentrao Left-back Coentrao has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid and to the Premier League for some time now with Manchester United usually the club named as his likely destination. However, Liverpool are also said to be in the mix. Getty Images Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Fabian Delph Another Aston Villa player of interest to Liverpool is Delph. The central midfielder has begun to show why the Villains made such an effort to prise him away from Leeds United back in 2009. Reports suggest Rodgers could make a bid upwards of £10m for the 25-year-old. GETTY IMAGES Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Karim Benzema Karim Benzema has been linked with a move to the Premier League for years, but instead he just keeps on scoring goals at a healthy rate for Real Madrid. That the Frenchman has lasted so long at the Bernabeu considering the Spanish club's preference for churning over the star names is testament to his ability. However, a reported £50m bid being readied by Liverpool might be enough for Los Blancos to say au revoir. GETTY IMAGES Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Saido Berahino The youngster has impressed with West Brom, so much so Liverpool have been linked with a £23m move for the striker. However, the Baggies say the story is an 'entire fabrication'. Tottenham also linked. Getty Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Jackson Martinez Martinez was an integral part of the Colombia team that so impressed at the World Cup so it was inevitable his name would crop up in the transfer rumour mill. However, he remained at Porto over the summer but claims that he has a £27.5m release clause has seen interest return. Liverpool are reportedly ready to take the plunge, however they face competition from Roma and Arsenal for the 28-year-old. Getty Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Ezequiel Lavezzi Lavezzi has 18 months to run on his contract and according to some sources PSG won't offer him another contract. That means they'll be keen to offload him sooner rather than later in order to avoid losing him for free. A fee of around £17m has been mentioned, with the 29-year-old forward perhaps set to become the latest Argentinian import into the Premier League. GETTY IMAGES Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Wilfried Bony Brendan Rodgers were full of praise for Bony earlier this season, describing him as 'strong, powerful, and he gets goals'. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher is just as effusive. 'I hope Liverpool sign him [Bony]. He is worth £20m or £25m. I wish Liverpool got him this summer and I hope they're looking at him in the future,' said the former defender. Getty Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Gonzalo Higuain The Napoli striker was close to a move to Arsenal two seasons ago before the Italian club blew their bid out of the water. However, they are now under financial pressure to balance the books, and the addition of Manolo Gabbiadini from Sampdoria has triggered talk that he could be on his way to Anfield for £30m. GETTY IMAGES Liverpool: The players linked with a move to Anfield during the latest transfer window Ogenyi Onazi According to reports, Lazio have already turned down one bid from Liverpool for their young Nigerian striker. However, an offer of around £8m could tempt them to part with the 22-year-old who has started to find his feet in Serie A and has already made over 25 appearances for his national team. There are suggestions Fabio Borini could be used as a make-weight in any deal. Getty Images

Bayern Munich confirmed that Liverpool had made a move for Shaqiri when they announced that the Switzerland winger was heading to Italy to play for Internazionale.

Liverpool have not reproduced last season’s attacking form since selling Luis Suarez to Barcelona. In the absence of the injured Daniel Sturridge, neither Rickie Lambert nor Adam Lallana, who moved to Anfield from Southampton in the summer, have made their presence felt, and the weight of goalscoring duties has fallen on Raheem Sterling.