With the official loan of Lisandro Lopez done and delivered, reports regarding the Inter Milan mercato are switching gears toward potential attacking options.

English and Italian press have reported that the Nerazzurri are closer to signing Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge on a loan deal. The credibility of the story is backed up by Paul Joyce, The Times northern football correspondent.

Inter Milan interested in Daniel Sturridge — paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) January 17, 2018

Both the Liverpool Echo and the Daily Mirror have also reported that the Reds have been approached by Liverpool for a potential loan deal.

Reports suggest Inter Milan is seeking a loan deal with an option to buy in the summer, after the team meets its Financial Fair Play obligations. The team is looking for loan options, not obligations.

Sturridge has seen very little playing time under Jurgen Klopp and since the recent acquisitions of Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane, Sturridge has managed just nine league appearances – four off the bench – for Liverpool this season. He added five Champions League games to the list, scoring three goals in his 14 total appearances.

Sturridge came to Liverpool by way of Chelsea in 2013. Since that time, Sturridge has scored 64 goals along with 24 assists in 133 appearances for the Reds. In his first season with Liverpool, the Birmingham-born striker scored 25 goals and had nine assists in 33 appearances. The next season he has sidelined with a thigh strain and a hamstring injury.

He returned in the 2015/16 season to make 25 appearances and score 13 goals, but did suffer hip and knee injuries over the course of the season. Last season, Sturridge had 27 appearances, scoring seven goals and three assists.

While he would not replace him, Sturridge could be a backup to Mauro Icardi – who’s form has been suspect over the last four matches. Inter would be looking for a loan deal with now money currently to spend in the mercato.