Liverpool Eye Klaas-Jan Huntelaar Swoop In Event of Andy Carroll Departure

Monday, 27th August, 2012

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is plotting a swoop for Holland international Klaas-Jan Huntelaar – if he can offload Andy Carroll before the transfer window closes.

According to Dutch TV channel Sport 1, Liverpool are keen on Huntelaar and spy the opportunity to snap up the former Real Madrid striker for what would represent a bargain price, given that the 29-year-old has yet to extend his contract with current club Schalke.

Huntelaar’s contract at the Ruhr giants runs out next summer and, despite Schalke making bullish noises over a renewal, no deal has yet been signed, leaving the forward in the driving seat over his future.

Whether the Dutchman would be tempted by the chance to land at Anfield remains to be seen and would mean missing out on Champions League football this season, but the opportunity can only be presented by Liverpool if out-of-favour striker Carroll is offloaded.

The England international has failed to convince in a red shirt since signing for Liverpool in January 2011 for a club-record £35M.

Carroll’s former club Newcastle have shown interest in taking him back to St. James’ Park, but Liverpool boss Rodgers would have to take a substantial loss on the striker.

Taking Carroll off the wage bill would allow another forward to be bought though, with Huntelaar a genuine option.

Schalke’s attitude too could be crucial, but faced with the prospect of losing Huntelaar for free next summer or realising a cut-price fee, the Bundesliga outfit would likely opt for the latter.

At Anfield, Huntelaar would also link up once again with Luis Suarez. The pair played together at Ajax between between 2007 and 2009.