Liverpool Step Up Efforts to Replace Suarez with Real Madrid Star Karim Benzema, Could Make Lucrative Offer

Liverpool could consider offering a lucrative package to persuade Karim Benzema to leave Real Madrid in the ongoing transfer window, according to the Daily Mail.

The Reds are actively looking to replace last season's 31-goal hero Luis Suarez, who moved to Barcelona for a reported £75m fee. Brendan Rodgers has the full amount to reinvest in the squad and is keen on adding a prolific front-man to his roster.

The report states that Liverpool will have to make Benzema their top earner by offering wages of £200,000-a-week. They may also have to shell out £40m if they want to land him this summer. The former Swansea City boss has earmarked the 26-year-old as an ideal candidate to fill the space left by the Uruguayan international at Anfield.

Last week, Spanish newspaper El Confidencial claimed that the French international has promised to sign a lucrative five-year contract offered by his current employers, which will boost his earnings to €8m (£6.3m) per year.

However, it is unlikely that Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti will allow Benzema to leave. The former Lyon star is the only recognised striker remaining on the Italian's roster at Santiago Bernabeu following Alvaro Morata's departure to Juventus.

The Spanish capital outfit are believed to be nearing the acquisition of Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez from Monaco for £70m.

Reports surfacing earlier this month suggested that they are also pushing to secure the services of his compatriot and former Atletico Madrid star, Radamel Falcao.

Benzema is currently on a holiday following Les Bleus' elimination in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Brazil.

The reigning European champions are travelling in the US for their pre-season fixtures against Inter Milan, AS Roma and Manchester United.

Ancelotti has included Real Madrid Castilla players Ruben Sobrino and Raul de Tomas to lead the line, thus highlighting the lack of depth in Madrid's attack.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are believed to be closing in on Loic Remy and Divock Origi from Queens Park Rangers and Lille respectively. The striking duo will reportedly fly to the US alongside Southampton centre-back Dejan Lovren for medicals, where the Reds are currently preparing for their pre-season fixtures.