Liverpool takeover: 10 transfer targets for Roy Hodgson

• zocoss

  6 Aug 10, 12:33

  Liverpool takeover: 10 transfer targets for Roy Hodgson

  Should Liverpool be sold this month, the club’s manager Roy Hodgson may find himself with significant transfer funds with which to rebuild his new side.

   

  

  Bright young thing: Mesut Ozil was one of the stars of the recent World Cup and is coveted from Milan to Madrid Photo: ACTION IMAGES

   

   

   

  

  Leading man: Carlton Cole would be a fine understudy to the injury prone Fernando Torres Photo: GETTY IMAGES

  

  Crossing the divide: Steven Pienaar would not be popular swapping blue for red in Liverpool but would bring much needed creativity to Anfield Photo: AP

  

  On the radar: Roy Hodgson has been watching Steven Defour for years and will money behind him would finally be able to get his man Photo: REUTERS

  

  Cottage industry: Brede Hangeland would bring quality to Liverpool's back line Photo: GETTY IMAGES

  

  Wanted man: Liverpool would have to fight the massive wealth of Manchester City to secure the signing of James Milner Photo: PA

  

  World class: Andres Iniesta would take a lot of convincing to leave Barcelona even if Liverpool's funds were limitless Photo: ACTION IMAGES

  

  Added value: Luke Young's wage demands have so far prevented a deal being struck - that may change with new owners at Anfield Photo: GETTY IMAGES

  

  Capital gains: Didier Drigba is not currently popular with Liverpool fans but would soon be were he to join Torres in a dream front pairing Photo: GETTY IMAGES

  

  Left foot foward: Fabio Coentrao would give Roy Hodgson options down the left flank from defene to attack Photo: EPA

   

   

   

    

   

   

  The 62-year-old is believed to be in the market for a left-back, a midfield player, a winger and a striker, but while he is currently rooting through the bargain bin, he may soon be able to afford to shop at some of Europe’s best boutiques.

   

   

  Brede Hangeland (Fulham)
  Hodgson may have suggested he would not return to Fulham to strip his former team of players, but Hangeland would provide the aerial prowess Liverpool have lacked since the departure of Sami Hyypia.

  Fabio Coentrao (Benfica)
  Though he impressed at the World Cup as a left-back, the 22-year-old is equally capable of playing in a more advanced role. Currently way beyond Liverpool’s means, but that would change with the arrival of Huang and his backers.

  Mesut Ozil (Werder Bremen)
  The undisputed star of the World Cup, Ozil looks set to leave Werder a year before his contract ends. Manchester United are thought to be considering an offer, but the new Liverpool would be able to blow their old rivals out of the water.

  Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
  The Ivorian made it clear at the start of the summer that he would welcome the chance to play with Fernando Torres. Kenny Huang’s takeover, should it succeed, may afford him the opportunity to do it in red, rather than blue.

  Steven Defour (Standard Liege)
  One of Europe’s most sought-after midfielders for two years, Defour will leave Belgium this summer. Hodgson is a known admirer but the £12 million asking price is currently out of his reach.

  Steven Pienaar (Everton)
  Few on Merseyside would expect the deal to go through, but the South African would provide the width Liverpool require, providing Everton are prepared to do business.

  Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
  Arguably the world’s finest midfield playmaker, if Hodgson has access to an almost unlimited fund, few signings would signal Liverpool’s new-found ambition more than one of Barcelona’s two magic dwarves.

  Carlton Cole (West Ham)
  Though the wealth Huang would bring to the club may be unprecedented, Hodgson still requires English players to meet the Premier League’s home-grown quota. Cole, available from West Ham, would provide a foil for Torres.

  James Milner (Aston Villa)
  The England international is rumoured to harbour ambitions of playing for Liverpool and, with his move to Manchester City stalling, Hodgson may be tempted to gazump the Eastlands side’s offer.

  Luke Young (Aston Villa)
  Perhaps, with almost £300 billion of assets behind them, Liverpool may finally be able to afford the former Charlton man’s wage demands.