Express: Rodgers set to swoop

Brendan Rodgers will be handed £40million by his board as he prepares to overhaul his Liverpool team.

The Reds boss has convinced owners Fenway Sports Group he needs big money for the task.

And after being impressed with Rodgers' management skills in a testing six months in charge, the Americans are ready to open the cheque book. First through the door will be Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge in a £12m deal that should be tied up in the first week in January when the transfer window opens.

And he will be followed into Anfield by Blackpool's Thomas Ince as Rodgers attempts to bring back the 20-year-old.

Including wages and the rise handed to 18-year-old winger Raheem Sterling this week - said to be from £2,000 to £40,000 a week - those deals will eat up nearly two thirds of the budget.

But there will still be enough left for Rodgers to swoop for Birmingham's goalkeeper Jack Butland.

The youngster has already played for England.

And the rest of the cash will be splashed out on snapping up French defender Nicolas Isimat Mirin. The stopper, 21, is available for a cut-price fee as he only has 18 months remaining on his deal at French Ligue 1 club Valenciennes.

Source: Sunday Express