Liverpool Prepare £40m Bid for Real Madrid's Karim Benzema as Luis Suarez Replacement

Liverpool are considering a move for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema as a replacement for Barcelona-bound Luis Suarez, according to the Metro.

The Uruguayan international is edging towards Anfield exit as the Catalan club being his next destination. Last season's Premier League top scorer is believed to have agreed terms to join the Spanish giants, which would see them pay around £70m to the Reds for Suarez's services.

Brendan Rodgers is all set to lose his star player this summer and is now in the market to bring in a top-quality striker to replace Suarez at the Merseyside club. The former Swansea boss has a huge transfer budget at his disposal from the former Ajax man's sale.

Liverpool have set their sights on Benzema to fill in the void left by Suarez's potential departure from Anfield. Real are reportedly preparing a clear-out and the French striker is included in the list of players heading for a summer exit.

The Champions League winners are in the market for a new striker and AS Monaco's Radamel Falcao is believed to be their top target this summer. If the Colombian star arrives at Santiago Bernabeu, it is unlikely that Benzema could get a regular place in Real's starting lineup next season.

Earlier in May, the player had expressed his desire to continue with his current employers next season.

"I feel at home in Madrid. I am really at ease. Playing at Real Madrid is a joy and fills me with pride because it is the greatest club in the world and also because I have come through some difficult moments in my five years here," Benzema told L'Equipe.

Liverpool want to use a portion of fee from Suarez's transfer to Barcelona in making a £40m bid for Benzema. The 26-year-old recently turned down a chance to sign a new deal and a massive bid from the Premier League runners-up could tempt the Spanish capital club to let their player leave.

Should the report be true, the addition of Benzema to Liverpool's squad will bolster their strike force and see the Frenchman play alongside Daniel Sturridge to lead the Reds' attacking division.