Liverpool Target Double Swoop for Napoli's Gokhan Inler and Valon Behrami - Report
Liverpool are considering a double swoop in signing Napoli midfielders Gokhan Inler and Valon Behrami at the end of the season, according to the Mirror.
The report claims the Reds are likely to use Pepe Reina as bait in bringing the Swiss international duo to Anfield in the upcoming transfer window. The Spaniard lost his place in Liverpool's starting lineup after the arrival of Simon Mignolet on Merseyside before the start of this season.
Reina was dropped down the pecking order, which forced him into joining Napoli on a season-long loan. Brendan Rodgers could allow his stopper to make a permanent switch to the Italian club and could strike a deal with the former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez in allowing Inler and Behrami move in the opposite direction.
The Mirror claims Napoli are interested in keeping Reina at the club beyond this season and are looking for a permanent transfer in the summer. Liverpool value the Spanish keeper around £6.5m, with Inler and Behrami jointly rated at £15m.
The Northern Irishman is keen on signing Inler and Behrami as he looks to bolster Liverpool's squad for next season.
The Reds are in the race to win the Premier League title this season and with the possibility of the Champions League action for the next campaign, Rodgers needs depth in his squad.
Liverpool registered a 4-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield and with that win, the Reds have climbed up to the top of the table.
Rodgers' side has 71 points from 31 games, leading second place Chelsea by two points and third place Manchester City by four points.
However, City still have two games in hand and victory for the Citizens in those two fixtures could see them go two points above Liverpool at the top of the table.
Meanwhile, Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has urged his teammates not to get carried away with their recent unbeaten run in the league.
"The message has to be that we have won nothing yet. We are involved in the title race now - there's no getting away from that - but, from experience, I know that you can never afford to get carried away," Gerrard explained.
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