Liverpool Handed Boost in Ezequiel Lavezzi Pursuit

Liverpool has reportedly been handed a boost in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain forward Ezequiel Lavezzi.

According to the Express, the Ligue 1 club is looking to offload the striker to raise money and fund moves for other transfer targets, mainly Angel Di Maria from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Earlier reports suggested that the Reds had made a bid of £18m but were put off by the hefty demands made by the player, who is supposedly looking for a lucrative long-term contract worth around £20m. Moreover, Paris Saint-Germain are demanding £18m for the striker they bought from Napoli for around £21m.

However, with the French champions now desperate to offload the player and raise funds Brendan Rodgers might be tempted to make another approach in the hope of reaching a compromise with the club and the player over the price and wages.

The Merseyside club will not have all their way and will face a battle to land the striker, as Juventus have entered the race to acquire the forward's services. The Italian champions are keen to pair Lavezzi with international colleague Carlos Tevez for the upcoming Serie A season.

The 29 year-old forward is also open to a move away from the French capital, as he has struggled to cement his place in the starting line-up at Paris Saint-Germain, making just 24 starts in the league last season. And if his current employers manage to sign compatriot Di Maria from Real, he will find it hard to get any game time at all.

Meanwhile, Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler feels striker Daniel Sturridge now has his chance to scale further heights and take his game to another level.

"He's got that chance now, to go out there and prove to everyone what we already know: that he's a great player," Fowler told Liverpool's official site.

"We know he's been a shining light since he's been here, but now he's got even more of a chance," the former Liverpool striker added.