According to reports by ESPN FC, Southampton and West Ham United have been boosted in their pursuit of Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, who is rated at £25m according to The Mirror, with the Reds keen to move the England international on this month as they are reluctant to loan teammate Danny Ings out.

What's the word, then?

Well, ESPN FC says that Sturridge and Ings are both attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs during the January transfer window, but Jurgen Klopp isn't willing to let both players leave in case he leaves himself short of options up top in the second-half of the campaign.

ESPN FC says that Ings appears to have jumped above his striking teammate – who has missed the Merseyside outfit's last eight games through injury and illness – in the pecking order, and they are more willing to sell the 28-year-old than they are to let the former Burnley man leave on a temporary basis.

The report adds that Saints and the Irons are admirers of Sturridge, and they are weighing up making a move for him before the window slams shut on January 31.

How has Sturridge done this season?

The 28-year-old has once again struggled for first-team minutes, scoring three goals and providing a further three assists in 14 appearances in all competitions, with only nine of those coming in the Premier League.

As we mentioned previously the striker has missed Liverpool's last eight matches through injury and illness, and hasn't played for the club since a late outing from the substitutes' bench in the 7-0 win against Spartak Moscow at the start of December.

Would he be a good signing for Saints or West Ham?

He certainly would be, as long as he can keep fit and his wage demands are sensible.

There has never been any doubt over Sturridge's ability – he has scored 64 goals in 133 appearances for the Merseyside outfit – but his injury problems would be a worry for any club looking at buying him this month – especially for the reported £25m asking price.

That said, if both clubs can keep him on the pitch he almost guarantees goals, and he would be motivated to do well considering he wants to win his place back in the England squad before the World Cup this summer.

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