Lacina Traore
Reuters

Liverpool are considering an approach for long-term striker target Lacina Traore in January, according to the Daily Mail.

Anzhi Makhachkala have reportedly informed the Ivory Coast international that he could leave the club in the winter. Traore joined the Russian side from Kuban Krasnodar in the summer of 2012.

The report claims Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was keen on signing Traore earlier in the year, but Anzhi were reluctant to let the player leave in January. However, the former Swansea boss could make an attempt at bringing the tall striker to Anfield in the mid-season transfer window.

Anzhi are experiencing a financial crisis at the club, the situation which forced them to let a few of their star players like Samuel Eto'o and Willian leave the club in the summer transfer window.

The Daily Mail claims Aznhi would be looking for a fee around £7.5m to part with the African striker in January. The Reds are likely to face competition for Traore's signature in January as Tutto Mercato Web reports that Juventus, along with CSKA Moscow and Zenit St Petersburg are also believed to be interested in signing him.

Meanwhile, Traore's agent Dmitry Selyuk has revealed that a move away from Aznhi in January could still be on the cards if the interested clubs can match his asking price. The striker's representative claimed his client was happy in Russia, but admitted that a decent proposal could still change the situation.

"Recent developments have not changed Traore's relationship with Anzhi. Moreover, he believes that the change of direction towards development will benefit the club," Selyuk was quoted in the Express.

"He loves to work with [new coach] Gadzhi Gadzhiyev, who has assured him that he counts on Lacina as the main striker. But I can't deny that in the case of a decent proposal that suits both us and Anzhi, Lacina could still change club."

"The interest in Traore in Russia and Europe is quite large. Therefore, if we get a good offer in the winter I think the leadership of Anzhi will let him go. But there are not many teams that could afford to pay the price for the player," he added.

Russia