According to the Sun, Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is increasingly open to the idea of listening to West Ham United this summer, as the Reds plot a move for Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand.

What's the word?

There's no hiding the fact that, while a hugely talented player, Sturridge's time at Anfield looks to be up. The England international is far cry from the forward who performed so well with Luis Suarez a few years ago, with injuries wholly derailing his progress.

With that in mind, the 27-year-old is understood to be ready to consider a move back to London, where he left in 2013 as he joined the Reds from Chelsea. West Ham have previously been linked with the former Manchester City youngster and their hunt for a marquee marksman has dragged on since last summer.

Irons boss Slaven Bilic is said to be ready to offer Sturridge the platform to recapture his best form as the club's first-choice striker, a berth not so readily available at Anfield amid Klopp's fluid frontline in a 4-3-3.

Liverpool, for that matter, are thought to be happy to sell, in order to fund a move for Bertrand.

Deals likely?

In Sturridge's case, yes. Though a player of his obvious talent is always likely to have a rather large list of suitors, a move to east London would make sense.

Despite their problems this season, the Hammers' stadium move has the potential of making them a big player in the Premier League and money will almost certainly be available.

Bertrand, meanwhile, is another matter. Liverpool have frequently looked to the south coast for summer recruits and, while James Milner has performed well in the left-back role this season, are in dire need of a more natural option in that berth.

Still, the England international is a huge part of the Saints' setup and has previously been linked with Manchester City, who are surely likely to have more financial clout.

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