Cassano in Hodgson's sights

Liverpool striker target Antonio Cassano could become a free agent as soon as Monday.

The controversial Sampdoria forward is set to leave the Stadio Luigi Ferraris after a major fallout with the club's president, and Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is thought to be one of the parties interested in signing the player.

A decision over the player's future could not be reached in a court of arbitration last week, and the second hearing is schedule for Monday in Italy. If the club wins, it will see the player's contract terminated immediately, making him a free agent.

There is no shortage of interest in the Italian international in the Premier League or abroad, with Manchester City, Spurs, Juventus and Inter Milan all thought to be challenging Liverpool for the signature.

Hodgson is thought to be in the market for a striker in January as he searches for an attacking foil for Spanish striker Fernando Torres at Anfield.

The Reds boss has money to spend following the arrival of NESV as the new Liverpool owners, but the opportunity to land Cassano on a free would be too good to turn down for the Merseyside outfit.

A former Bari, Roma and Real Madrid star, Cassano has often courted controversy with acrimonious splits from the later two clubs mentioned.

Dubbed 'the jewel of Bari', the striker is back in the national team fold and is considered Italy's leading striker at the current time.

A negotiation war could begin almost instantly depending on the Monday outcome, and Liverpool will almost certainly be monitoring the situation closely as they prepare their next move.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.