Saido Berahino West Brom 2015
Saido Berahino, right, has scored nine goals for West Brom this term, making him a top target for Liverpool. Reuters

Deep in negotiations for most of the current campaign, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has said an “incredible” offer has already been made to leading winger Raheem Sterling and that the club won’t be held hostage for ever increasing demands, according to Telegraph.

Sterling’s five goals have certainly helped the Reds attack as they continue to battle for Champions League qualifying in the second half of Premier League.

The details of such an “incredible” offer aren’t known, however it figures to be well above Sterling’s projected market value of £17 million. But evidently Rodgers has several plans in mind should the Jamaican-born Englishman decide to embark on Anfield this summer.

Those plans evidently begin with either Burnley’s Danny Ings or 21-year-old West Brom striker Saido Berahino, a gifted scorer who’s totaled nine goals in 24 appearances this term.

To hear former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher tell it, Ings might be the better fit under Rodgers.

"But if I was Liverpool I'd be trying to sign Danny Ings,” Carragher said during “Super Sunday”. “The way Ings comes across and the way Berahino comes across, you think will there be a problem with Berahino, maybe an attitude problem?

"With Ings, you hear him speak, he says: 'Let your football do the talking.'"

Carragher could be referencing Berahino’s recent comments, saying he wanted to help the Baggies move up the Premier League standings and then move on. According to Daily Mail, West Brom are expecting minimum offers of £20 million for their top scorer.

Ings, 22, has been just as impressive as Berahino, notching eight goals and four assists in three fewer appearances for the 17th-place squad, and he would be slightly cheaper option at £3 million compared to £4 million for Berahino.

Rodgers is also exploring options to strengthen the Reds midfield, with Real Madrid defensive midfielder Asier Illarramendi the top target.

The little used Illarramendi would be an upgrade in both skill level and age compared to 28-year-old Lucas, who’s recently been tied to Manchester City, as well as Emre Can. According to Daily Star, Liverpool joins fellow interested parties Arsenal, Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid.

Newly dubbed Sociedad manager David Moyes might have the inside track with Illarramendi spending his youth and the first five years of his professional career at Anoeta, but the Reds could offer the 24-year-old immediate and regular pitch time.

In net, Liverpool, as well as Manchester United, received some good news after negotiations fell through with Inter Milan and prized goalkeeper Samir Handanovic. Though the 30-year-old desires to stay in Italy, it’s believed a lucrative long-term deal from United or Liverpool could convince him, according to Express.

United might have the early lead, considering the outlandish £50 million fee they could coax out of Madrid for David de Gea. But Liverpool could also round up extra funds if they find a taker for the out of form Simon Mignolet.