LIVERPOOL are set to launch a £31.2m bid to sign Argentine international Gonzalo Higuain.

According to Fichajes, Brendan Rodgers is keen on bolstering his strike-force with a proven world class forward capable of emulating Luis Suarez.

Rodgers is hoping to capitalise on the growing unrest surrounding Rafa Benitez's position as manager, and the threat of missing out on Champions League football next year.

A run of poor results are undermining Benitez's position, with many Italian media outlets claiming former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will replace him should they continue.

The Partenopei were already growing restless after a summer of relatively innocuous transfers, and to compound their misery they crashed out of the Champions League in the qualifying stages courtesy of Spanish outfit Athletic Bilbao.

The Italian side are in a precarious financial position - exacerbated by their early Champions League exit, and could be forced to sell to recoup their economic shortcomings.

Higuain is by far the club's most lucrative asset, and could fetch a considerable fee in the region of £30-35m if Liverpool are challenged for his services.

Source: Daily Express