Thursday’s transfer rumours: Liverpool ready to splash the cash

Liverpool owner John Henry could be opening up his cheque book in January, with a £47m move for three players in the transfer window.

With Simon Mignolet suffering another clanger in last night's Champions League draw with Ludogorets, rumours are circulating that they may be about to tempt forgotten Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech with a move to Merseyside. The keeper is valued at around £7m, while they are also believed to be interested in a £10m swoop for Norwich winger Nathan Redmond. But with goals proving to be their real undoing so far this season, the big move in January could be for Porto's Colombian striker Jackson Martinez, who starred for the South Americans at the World Cup. But he won't come cheap, Porto are believed to be holding out for at least £30m. (The Star)   Liverpool are also believed to be on high alert with the news that Bayern Munich's Xheridan Shaqiri could be available in January. The Swiss midfielder is unhappy in Germany, and honorary Bayern President Franz Beckenbauer has confirmed that the player can leave the club in the next transfer window. But Liverpool can expect competition for the player's signature, with Manchester United also believed to be interested in the "Alpine Messi". (The Star)   Another potential Man United target is believed to be Real Madrid's French centre-back Raphael Varane. The 21-year-old is touted as one of the best young defenders in the world, but his frustration at a lack of game time could be the trigger for United and his former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, at Chelsea, to make a move. (The Star)   And Louis Van Gaal is also believed to be after PSV's Belgian "wonderkid" Zakaria Bakkali. The 18-year-old is refusing to sign a new contract at the Dutch club, and with his current deal set to expire in the summer, United could land the player for nothing by offering him a pre-contract in January. (Daily Mail)   Arsenal will be in the market for a defensive midfielder in January, and have reportedly shown interest in signing Irish international James McCarthy. With injuries to both Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta, Arsene Wenger is looking to reinforce his midfield, and the Everton midfielder is being tipped as a target, along with Sevilla's Polish midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak (The Mirror).   Spurs are lining up a £5m bid for Ajax defender Ricardo Van Rhijn, as they look to back up their leaky defence. The Dutchman was watched by the club during Tuesday's meeting with PSG in the Champions League, but it's believed the 23-year-old right back is also a target for both Napoli and Villareal. (The Mirror)   In-form Newcastle aren't resting on the laurels if reports are to be believed. Alan Pardew's side are hoping to land German International Max Kruse from Borussia Monchengladbach, and are willing to spend £9m on the 26-year-old striker. Kruse missed on on selection for Germany's World Cup squad, but after an impressive start to the season he's been recalled by manager Jogi Low. (The Mirror)