Liverpool are prepared to sell Daniel Sturridge this month – but they want £30million for the striker. The 28-year-old front man has informed the Reds that he wants to leave during the current window in order to secure the regular action required to force his way into England’s World Cup squad. Jurgen Klopp remains keen for Sturridge to stay for the rest of the season but will grant him his wish if Liverpool receive an offer which they believe matches his value.
As it stands Sturridge isn’t available for loan with the Reds only considering a permanent move. That position could change later in the window if the asking price isn’t met and there’s a hefty loan fee on the table. Southampton and West Ham have both been linked with the former Chelsea forward, who has found himself down the pecking order at Anfield this season. Sturridge, who returned to full training at Melwood this week after a hamstring injury, hasn’t featured since the victory over Spartak Moscow on December 6.
He has only made five starts in all competitions this term with Klopp favouring Roberto Firmino in the central attacking role. Sturridge has scored 63 goals in 133 appearances for the club since his £12million move from Chelsea five years ago. He netted 24 times in the 2013/14 season when he struck up a deadly double act with Luis Suarez but since then he’s been hampered by a succession of injury setbacks.
He has struggled to hold down a place under Klopp and believes the time is right to pursue a new challenge. Sturridge was overlooked by Gareth Southgate for the November internationals against Germany and Brazil, and fears that if he stays at Liverpool he will miss out on June’s World Cup in Russia. As well as Firmino, Sturridge finds himself battling with Danny Ings and Dominic Solanke for game time. Liverpool believe the £30million price tag is fair in the current market for a striker of Sturridge’s calibre.
