van Wolfswinkel 'tops Liverpool transfer list'

Ricky van Wolfswinkel has emerged as Liverpool's top transfer deadline day target after Bayern Munich refused to allow Mario Gomez to leave on loan.

Roy Hodgson is determined to bring in a new striker to help ease the burden on Fernando Torres and has asked about the availability of a number of players, but without success.

According to reports, he now hopes to persuade Utrecht to part with Van Wolfswinkel, who recently made his Netherlands debut.

Utrecht are demanding a transfer fee of around £8million for the 21-year-old, who has already scored seven Europa League goals this season, including a hat-trick against Celtic.

Newcastle were also interested in Van Wolfswinkel, but are reported to have accepted that he will not be moving to St James' Park.

The move for the Dutchman comes after Liverpool's efforts to sign Germany international Gomez failed.

Gomez had expressed an interest in a season-long loan deal at Anfield, but Bayern Munich have now said they will not allow him to leave.

Hodgson has also asked about the availability of Tottenham's Peter Crouch and West Ham's Carlton Cole, while ESPN Soccernet reports that he made contact with Fulham about Bobby Zamora.

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