Liverpool are ready to make a loan move for Paris Saint Germain forward Kevin Gameiro after the deal for Chelsea's Daniel Sturrudge hit a snag over agents' fees.
Talks over a move to Liverpool were at such an advanced stage that Sturridge was scheduled to arrive at Anfield for a medical Wednesday, but the plan was scuppered after the 23-year-old's agents Octagon demanded a cut of any sell-on fee, according to the Guardian.
Liverpool have agreed a £12 million ($19.5 million) fee with Chelsea for the England international.
Owners Fenway Sport Group are determined to cut down on agent fees, after Liverpool spent a staggering £31.3 million ($50.8 million) since 2008-09 on payments to agents.
Liverpool are bettered over that period only by big spenders Chelsea (£31.8 million, $51.6 million) and Manchester City (£39 million, $63.3).
Brendan Rodgers is desperate for striking reinforcements in January to reduce the burden on Luis Suarez and had identified Sturridge as his main option, along with Blackpool's Thomas Ince, who is expected to sign soon.
While the deal for Sturridge is still likely, Liverpool are looking at alternatives with PSG's Gameiro their prime option.
Gameiro has found it hard to break into the French side with any great regularity following the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and would be open to a loan move until the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Liverpool legend Alan Hansen has compared Daniel Agger to the center-back who represented the Reds with great success in the 1970s and 80s.
"When you look at some of the center-backs Liverpool have had with the ball at their feet, in the '70s and '80s it was virtually everyone," Hansen told the Liverpool Echo.
"You could go through them and they were phenomenal with the ball at their feet. And Daniel's up there with the best of them.
"He's exceptionally comfortable in possession of the ball. He's never embarrassed when the ball is at his feet -- and traditionally Liverpool center-backs have always been all of that.
"If you look at the attributes you want in a top class centre-back he's a nine out of 10 in the vast majority, which are very high figures.
"The only thing you'd say against Daniel is that he was prone to injury before, but this is a decent spell without getting injured.
"Daniel's a top class player. There's things you can see and some things people wouldn't see. Anticipation and interception is all part and parcel of centre-back play, but you always go back to the partnership he has with (Martin) Skrtel and they complement each other.
"Skrtel's really strong in the air, whereas Daniel would be better on the ground and has better attributes on the ground."