Former West Ham United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has encouraged his former employers to make a January move for out of favour Liverpool frontman Daniel Sturridge.
Despite Liverpool bossJurgen Klopp last week insisting that no first team players will leave the club in next month's window, glovesman-turned-pundit Hislop toldESPNthat he believes the deal could happen.
Jurgen Klopp says "there's absolutely no thought to sell any first team player in January." Daniel Sturridge going nowhere in other words.
"West Ham were rumoured to be interested in Sturridge way back at the beginning of the year, a move didn't happen," Hislop explained.
"Injury issues continue to plague him at Liverpool. [Liverpool] are reportedly interested in [Moussa] Dembele, up at Celtic...I think this one happens," the 47-year-old continued, maybe letting his allegiances to the Hammers cloud his judgement ever so slightly.
"We need him. Back in London, he can't turn down West Ham, can he?" Hislop said of Sturridge, who spent four years in the capital with Chelsea between 2009 and 2013.
When asked if he felt the dynamite England international strikerwould be a good fit for Slaven Bilic's struggling Hammers, who sit just one point and one place above the Premier League relegation zone, Hislop replied emphatically, "Absolutely."
Daniel Sturridge is West Ham's top transfer target this January & are prepared to pay big money to bring him in. (David Maddock - Mirror)
Hislop's ESPN co-presenter Alexis Nunes chuckled along in face of the Hammers legend's enthusiasm, and his ability to ignore the fact that Sturridge is very unlikely to trade the title race for a relegation dogfight, not to mention that Klopp has expressly ruled out any first team departures next month.
Roberto Firmino has been Jurgen Klopp's first choice frontman in a very impressive start to the season thus far, which sparkedrumours that Sturridge may have been set for the Anfield exit door.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp rules out Daniel Sturridge sale in January amid West Ham interest | @_ChrisBascombe https://t.co/DJBO9F6sCn
However, Klopp values the player so much that he moved to dispel any talk of Sturridge's departure last week.
Moreover, various injuries, coupled with Sadio Mane's impending absence as he travels to the African Cup of Nations next month should see the former Manchester City man get plenty of opportunities in the coming weeks.