Liverpool plot shock £5m move for Swiss Super League star

Liverpool are being linked with a January move for Swiss international midfielder Valentin Stocker.

The 21-year-old Basel midfielder, who can also play on the left wing, has caught the eye of watching scouts with his technical ability an eye-for-goal. Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is thought to be one of the interested parties.

Werder Bremen, Schalke and Hamburg are also thought to be interested in the player, with the Bundesliga clubs thought to be ready to challenge Liverpool for the £5 million rated player.

Stocker joined the Basel youth team back in 2005, and made his senior debut for the club two years later. A regular ever since, Stocker has helped FCB to two titles in his three seasons and has also represented the club in the Champions League.

The attack-minded player has three goals in seven international appearances for Switzerland, and his experience at the highest levels of football are thought to make him an attractive option to the Liverpool boss.

Hodgson has been promised money to spend in the January transfer window by new owners Reds owners NESV, and the Anfield boss is thought to have highlighted 'five or six' players as potential January signings to strengthen his Liverpool squad.

The Merseyside outfit have made a sluggish start to the Premier League campaign this season, a fact not helped by injuries to a number of key players. Stocker would add strength-in-depth to the Liverpool squad, and challenge for a starting birth in a couple of positions.

German website 4-4-2 and the Daily Mirror claim that Hodgson could use his contacts in Switzerland to help land the player, and Liverpool could make their move as soon as the window opens in 2011.

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