Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is mulling over a move for AC Milan's defensive midfielder Nigel De Jong as he nervously awaits news on Lucas Leiva's injury.

The Brazilian is set to learn the seriousness of his injury in the coming days but, should it prove to be a long-term issue, his manager may approach new Milan boss Clarence Seedorf about a possible offer.

Corriere Dello Sport report that the Italians are unlikely to welcome any move but Liverpool may force their hand with a sizeable offer.

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The former Manchester City hard man has been ever-present at the San Siro and is on a handsome weekly wage but should be tempted by the chance to return to the Premier League.

With sixty-nine Holland caps to his name - along with a solitary goal - De Jong is one of the toughest tacklers in the game.

Rodgers, on the other hand, has few defensive options other than Lucas and will endeavor to prevent his side from slipping out of the top four.

Meanwhile Rodgers has also been granted the funds by the club's hierarchy to launch an £8m offer for FC Basel winger Mohamed Salah after weeks of continued interest.

Salah has been at the top of Rodgers' agenda since last summer and Reds scouts have been monitoring the 21-year-old for much of the season.

It is thought that Rodgers is also keen to add a left-back, centre-back, midfielder and striker to his squad although he may now only make a move for Salah after the club informed him that funds would be low until the end of the season.

Shape Created with Sketch. Liverpool - January transfer targets Show all 13 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Liverpool - January transfer targets 1/13 Yevhen Konoplyanka - Ukrainian international winger who impressed against England in recent World Cup qualifiers. Happy playing on either flank. Getty Images 2/13 Javier Pastore - Very impressive and highly rated as a youngster, the Argentine international's career has stalled slightly since his £40m move to PSG. With the French club pursuing Juan Mata, a move to Liverpool could help Pastore get his career back on track and secure his World Cup place. For Liverpool it looks like they could secure some top quality reinforcement fairly reasonably. 3/13 Will Hughes - Derby's teenage midfielder has been consistently linked with a move to Anfield. However despite Brendan Rodgers' penchant for nurturing young talent, the Liverpool manager has so far denied he will be making a move. Getty 4/13 Michu - Last season's sensation has suffered slightly from second season syndrome but nevertheless he remains an excellent player. The Spaniard recently expressed an interest in playing at a higher level, could his signing help Liverpool secure a precious Champions League spot? AFP/Getty Images 5/13 Hakan Calhanoglu - Hamburg's young star has also attracted the attention of Arsenal but with the London side packed with a surfeit of high-profile attacking midfielders, Liverpool might prove an easier place for the Turk to establish himself. 6/13 Danny Ings - With Rodgers looking to reinforce his SAS strike partnership, England U21 international Ings could be in line for a January move. The Burnley hitman has 12 league goals so far this season. 7/13 Jorginho - With Liverpool wanting to ease the strain on ageing skipper Steven Gerrard, Verona's Brazilian Jorginho could be the man to make the move to Anfield with a rumoured £15m transfer. 8/13 Claudio Marchisio - With Juventus' early Champions League exit meaning the midfielder could be on his way out in order to recoup some money, Liverpool could swoop to pick up a classy long term alternative for Gerrard. 9/13 Konstaninos Mitroglou - The Olympiakos striker's exploits this season have alerted not only Arsenal but also Liverpool to a possible January move. Would help take the strain off Suarez. 10/13 Ivan Rakitic - The Sevilla man may have a rather off-putting €40m release clause but that allegedly hasn't put off Liverpool who are still keen on the Croatian. 11/13 Salomon Rondon - Reportedly a Liverpool target when Suarez's exit from the club seemed inevitable, Rondon could be on his way out at Rubin Kazan and Liverpool may well renew their interest in the forward. 12/13 Ola Toivonen - The Swede is available on a free in the summer but Rodgers is said to be hopeful of taking him on loan before then. His versatility could prove handy at Anfield. 13/13 Kevin Volland - Liverpool are said to be one of five Premier League clubs after the young winger whose performances in the Bundesliga have impressed. 1/13 Yevhen Konoplyanka - Ukrainian international winger who impressed against England in recent World Cup qualifiers. Happy playing on either flank. Getty Images 2/13 Javier Pastore - Very impressive and highly rated as a youngster, the Argentine international's career has stalled slightly since his £40m move to PSG. With the French club pursuing Juan Mata, a move to Liverpool could help Pastore get his career back on track and secure his World Cup place. For Liverpool it looks like they could secure some top quality reinforcement fairly reasonably. 3/13 Will Hughes - Derby's teenage midfielder has been consistently linked with a move to Anfield. However despite Brendan Rodgers' penchant for nurturing young talent, the Liverpool manager has so far denied he will be making a move. Getty 4/13 Michu - Last season's sensation has suffered slightly from second season syndrome but nevertheless he remains an excellent player. The Spaniard recently expressed an interest in playing at a higher level, could his signing help Liverpool secure a precious Champions League spot? AFP/Getty Images 5/13 Hakan Calhanoglu - Hamburg's young star has also attracted the attention of Arsenal but with the London side packed with a surfeit of high-profile attacking midfielders, Liverpool might prove an easier place for the Turk to establish himself. 6/13 Danny Ings - With Rodgers looking to reinforce his SAS strike partnership, England U21 international Ings could be in line for a January move. The Burnley hitman has 12 league goals so far this season. 7/13 Jorginho - With Liverpool wanting to ease the strain on ageing skipper Steven Gerrard, Verona's Brazilian Jorginho could be the man to make the move to Anfield with a rumoured £15m transfer. 8/13 Claudio Marchisio - With Juventus' early Champions League exit meaning the midfielder could be on his way out in order to recoup some money, Liverpool could swoop to pick up a classy long term alternative for Gerrard. 9/13 Konstaninos Mitroglou - The Olympiakos striker's exploits this season have alerted not only Arsenal but also Liverpool to a possible January move. Would help take the strain off Suarez. 10/13 Ivan Rakitic - The Sevilla man may have a rather off-putting €40m release clause but that allegedly hasn't put off Liverpool who are still keen on the Croatian. 11/13 Salomon Rondon - Reportedly a Liverpool target when Suarez's exit from the club seemed inevitable, Rondon could be on his way out at Rubin Kazan and Liverpool may well renew their interest in the forward. 12/13 Ola Toivonen - The Swede is available on a free in the summer but Rodgers is said to be hopeful of taking him on loan before then. His versatility could prove handy at Anfield. 13/13 Kevin Volland - Liverpool are said to be one of five Premier League clubs after the young winger whose performances in the Bundesliga have impressed.

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