Liverpool are planning an audacious swoop for Newcastle playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa, with Andy Carroll possibly going the other way.

Brendan Rodgers has stressed on the importance of strengthening the squad with every passing window, and the Reds manager has reportedly zeroed in on Ben Arfa as the perfect addition, according to the Guardian.

Ben Arfa has not had the stellar season he enjoyed last year, but that has been mainly due to the fact that his campaign has been disrupted by injuries.

Newcastle have always looked like a better side with the winger in the team and Alan Pardew, no doubt, will be reluctant to let go of one of his major assets.

However, the Magpies are very much interested in bringing back Carroll, currently on a season-long loan at West Ham, to St. James' Park, paving the way for a possible swap deal.

Carrol's future at Liverpool is still undecided, with West Ham manager Sam Allardyce saying the club were yet to decide on whether to make the loan deal permanent.

"You always want a top class center-forward," Allardyce told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show. "I know he's been short on goals and he's had a disrupted season, but he'll only get better if he's got a settled future, whether that's with us or not (I don't know).

"It would be a long process though. We will have a conversation at the end of the season with Andy and Liverpool.

"It all depends on how he feels and what he does between now and the end of the season. It's also about where Andy thinks his future lies. He hasn't thought about that yet, he just wants to play as much as he can."

Carroll is clearly not a part of Rodger's future plans, although the England international was hoping to use the season with West Ham to prove to the Liverpool manager he can make a career at Anfield.

If Liverpool, as expected, were to decide to sell, it is understood Carroll would prefer a return to Newcastle, which in turn would help the Reds in negotiating a deal for Ben Arfa, who has a contract until 2015 at St. James' Park.