Liverpool have reportedly placed a £30 million price tag on out-of-favour striker Daniel Sturridge, who is being targeted by Inter Milan.
According to a report by Daily Mirror, Liverpool are set to demand £30 million in exchange of the services of Daniel Sturridge, whose stint at Anfield seems to be coming to an end. Inter Milan are interested in signing the English striker, and are weighing up a January move for him.
Sturridge has seen his career stutter dramatically since the spectacular 2013-14 season, when he had struck a formidable strike partnership with Luis Suarez to nearly lead Liverpool to their first Premier League title. Over the last three-and-a-half seasons though, the player seems to have hit an extended rough patch.
In the last three full seasons, Sturridge has made 70 appearances in all, a bulk of those being from the bench, with the England international battling a spate of injuries. Even when fit, the 28-year-old has been unable to hold down a regular spot in the Liverpool first-team setup as Jurgen Klopp prefers a more mobile forward to lead the line.
The Liverpool manager has converted Roberto Firmino into a false nine, with the Brazilian becoming a vital cog for the Reds. Summer signing Dominic Solanke, too, seems to be ahead of Sturridge in the pecking order, and the player could see his England career come to a halt if he doesn’t get his club career in order.
Sturridge has given us some great memories – and was undoubtedly one of the worlds finest strikers in his prime.
Injuries aside, he always provided the goods.
Fair play Danny, good luck wherever you may roam. #YNWA pic.twitter.com/L231KTtYBc
— Ben Webb (@BenWebbLFC) January 11, 2018
With the World Cup just a few months away, the player needs to clock regular first-team minutes to stake claim for a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad. And there seems to be no dearth of interest in him, despite his struggles.
Real Betis were looking to sign Sturridge this month before Liverpool’s demands scared them off. But, Inter Milan possess the financial muscle to land the player and are pursuing a move for him.
The Nerazzurri have found goals hard to come by of late, with a run of sub-par results leaving them lagging behind in the Serie A title race. Mauro Icardi is the only player who has managed to find the back of the net on a consistent basis for Inter Milan, scoring more than half of their league goals.
Luciano Spalletti & co. still harbour hopes of winning the title in the second half of the campaign, but they need a proven goalscorer to help them achieve their objectives, which is where Sturridge comes in. His questionable fitness is not an issue, neither is the price tag that Liverpool have placed on him.
The Reds are demanding £30 million for the player, which does not pose an obstacle to Inter Milan. The Serie A heavyweights are set to make their first offer, and it’s looking increasingly likely that Sturridge’s next destination will be San Siro. It now remains to be seen if his Liverpool spell indeed comes to an end this month.
