The Reds see Udinese forward Muriel as the ideal replacement.
Udinese forward Luis Muriel has emerged as a transfer target for Liverpool as they prepare to replace Luis Suarez – who is strongly linked with Real Madrid, according to the Daily Express.
Suarez has been the club’s best player since arriving at Anfield in January 2011 for a £22.8m transfer fee from Ajax.
Since then the Uruguay international has scored 74 goals and provided 47 assists in 121 matches in all competitions, including 23 Premier League strikes this season in just 21 games.
The striker recently signed a new four-and-a-half year deal with the Reds that will keep Suarez on Merseyside until 2018, although if they miss out on Champions League football this term then the South American is likely to want to leave.
Madrid have been big fans of the 27-year-old for some time, but it’s likely the Uruguayan’s current side will only entertain bids of £100m plus.
Yet having previously broken the world record with £80m and £85.3m deals for Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale respectively, this is unlikely to deter Los Blancos.
Therefore Brendan Rodgers will have the difficult task of trying to replace Suarez and whilst this is nigh on impossible, the Northern Irishman is a long-term admirer of Muriel.
The 22-year-old has been in great form at the Stadio Frulil after finally breaking into the first team in 2012, following loan spells with Getafe and Lecce.
Muriel has 19 goals in 45 appearances for Udinese and has also earned five caps for the Colombia national team to date, despite competing for a place with the likes of FC Porto’s Jackson Martinez and AS Monaco superstar Radamel Falcao.
It’s thought that the club will have to find around £20m if they want to secure the Colombian.
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