Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Pondering £7.5m Bid for Gerrard Replacement

Liverpool are reportedly preparing a £7.5 million bid for Aston Villa contract rebel Fabian Delph, who is believed to be targeted as a replacement for Steven Gerrard.

The 25-year-old midfielder, whose is currently on the final year of his Villa contract, was earlier being linked with a January move to Liverpool, but all the speculations cooled down after the Villans made it clear that Delph would not be allowed to leave in the winter transfer window.

However, the Sunday Mirror now claims that Liverpool are reportedly looking to test Villa's resolve with a £7.5 million for the midfielder.

According to the report, Gerrard's shock decision to leave Anfied after the end of the season and Inter Milan stepping up their efforts to sign Lucas Leiva this month has prompted Liverpool to suddenly reignite their interest in Delph.

It is understood that the Merseyside club see the 25-year-old midfielder, who has managed to get a spot in Roy Hodgson's England team due to his robust tackling and fluid movements, as a natural replacement for Gerrard.

Although the midfielder would be available for free after the end of the season, Liverpool are reportedly keen to land him in January so that they do not risk losing out on his signature in the summer transfer window.

Meanwhile, Rodgers is reportedly on the verge of offloading winger Oussama Assaidi, with Middle Eastern side Al-Ahli believed to be very close to landing him.

The Northern Irishman has already terminated 26-year-old's loan at Stoke City in order to sanction his £4.75million move to Al-Ahli, according to the Telegraph.

Assaidi, who joined Stoke on a season-long loan deal on the final day of the summer transfer window, will probably be happy with his deal as he has had limited opportunities under Mark Hughes this season.

It is believed that the winger is on the verge of ending his time in the Premier League as he recently flew out to Dubai to hold some final talks with Al-Ahli.

Rodgers has been eager to offload Assaidi, who completed a £2.4 million switch from Dutch side SC Heerenveen in the summer of 2012, as the winger has failed to impress at Anfield, making a total of only 12 appearances for the Merseyside club.