Liverpool are looking at the possibility of signing Japanese international Keisuke Honda from CSKA Moscow.
Brendan Rodgers is on the lookout for high quality in the transfer market this season, as he tries to take Liverpool up the table and into the European places.
The Reds have been linked with a move for strikers over the past few months, seeing their need to strengthen up front with only Luis Suarez an option currently.
While there is no doubt that a center forward will arrive in the summer, with the likes of Darren Bent and Shane Long linked, Liverpool could also use a playmaker that can play just in behind Suarez and pick the perfect pass.
According to the Daily Star, Liverpool are seriously considering a £12 million swoop for the 26-year-old when the transfer window reopens in January.
Honda is a technically gifted player, who is at his best playing in the No. 10 role, although he can play out wide as well. The 26-year-old is entering the final year of his contract with CSKA, and has been recently criticized by the CSKA coach for some under par performances, meaning the Japanese would be open to a move.
Meanwhile, Rodgers insisted goalkeeper Pepe Reina is not going anywhere, after widespread reports suggested the Spanish international could be on the move in January, with Arsenal keeping an eye on developments.
"I want to make it one hundred percent clear because I have read all different stories about goalkeepers linked and him leaving -- this is a guy who is in a real real good moment, he is the number one keeper for Liverpool," Rodgers said about Reina.
"At this moment in time he has three years left in his contract and I think he has his best years ahead of him.
"He is a wonderful guy, a real team player and we have seen in the last number of games he is really getting up to speed and he will be a very important part of how we work.
"Of course you are always looking for talent and at some stage maybe we will look further down the line, but what we have is one of the best keepers in the Premier League."
