Liverpool are lining up an audacious move for Spanish World Cup star Pedro.

The Reds have already made a discreet approach to his club Barcelona over the striker's availability... and been told the 26-year-old IS available at the right price.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has made it clear he is ready to spend big on bringing a third world-class forward to Anfield to complement his devastating attacking duo of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.

And Pedro - full name Pedro Eliezer Rodríguez Ledesma - fits the bill.

He is a World Cup and Euros winner with Spain, and is a proven finisher at the highest level with 14 goals in 37 games for his country.

The fact he is also versatile enough to operate all along the front line appeals to Rodgers, who would love to sign a forward who could play as an out and out striker, but also cut in from wide positions if Suarez or Strurridge play centrally.

Pedro has been told he can leave the Nou Camp, with Barca planning a massive shake-up this summer under newly-appointed coach Luis Enrique.

The evidence he needed that he is no longer wanted by the Catalans came on Wednesday when he, his some-time strike partner Alexis Sanchez and midfielder Cesc Fabregas were all missing from photos used in the launch of the new home kit.

All three have been strongly linked with moves this summer, and that comes as confirmation they will be sold at the right price.

Liverpool, in fact, also enquired about Chile international Sanchez as a possible alternative.

But it seems he is close to a move to Juventus and unless that deal implodes, the Reds will have to concentrate their efforts on Pedro - the type of player Rodgers desperately wants to underpin Liverpool's Champions League efforts next season.

He is still to reach his prime, but has already won every honour possible with Barca and Spain.

He played in both the semi-final and final of the last World Cup, was a substitute as Spain won Euro 2012 and, most recently, has scored big international goals against the likes of Italy and Uruguay - and a crucial winner in qualifying against France in Paris.

Pedro looks set to lead the Spain forward line in Brazil this summer, and the problem for Liverpool could be that Barca are happy to wait how he does at the World Cup before naming a price.

If the Spanish reach the later stages, his fee would escalate dramatically.

The Reds have cash to splash though, and will spend it on the right player.

They are also in talks with Southampton over a double deal to bring midfielder Adam Lalllana and centre-back Dejan Lovren to Anfield, but there is unlikely to be any real progress until after the World Cup.

Source: Daily Mirror