Sturridge on the brink of Reds switch

Liverpool have all but finalised a £12 million (€14.7m) deal for Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge for the start of January, the Irish Examiner has learned.

Negotiations between Anfield and Stamford Bridge had intensified over the past few weeks, and high-placed figures at both clubs have confirmed the deal is now almost certain to go through in the first few days of 2013.

With Tom Ince also set to arrive at Anfield from Blackpool for £4m (€4.9m), the transfer will ensure Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers completes practically all of his January business very early in the transfer window.