Liverpool Transfer Rumours - Who is Dalglish looking at as back-up to Suarez-Carroll?

If the rumours are to be trusted, Kenny Dalglish has set his sights on shoring up his striking department with a back-up striker for Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, especially with David Ngog not featuring in his plans for the next season.

According to talkSPORT, Liverpool are leading the chase to sign AC Milan striker Antonio Cassano, in a bid to strengthen the frontline and pose a challenge for the title next season. The report goes on to suggest that, the player is unhappy after failing to secure a starting berth with Robinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexandre Pato all ahead of him.

Fiorentina are also linked with the 28-year-old, but the reports in Italy claim Liverpool are the favourites to sign him as the player wants to start a new chapter in England, having already played in Italy and Spain.

Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd is another striker linked to the Merseyside club. Now a free agent, after choosing to leave the Welsh club after the expiration of his contract, the 28-year-old is looking for a new challenge in the Premier League, having already excelled in the Championship. He scored 18 goals and eight assists in 39 games last season as Cardiff narrowly missed out on promotion.

The fact that he is a free agent is believed to be a particular attraction for Dalglish as it will not harm his chances of signing Connor Wickham from Ipswich Town.

The Sun reports that the Reds have already sealed the signing of Rennes midfielder Sylvain Marveaux after the Frenchman moved in a free transfer. He is rumoured to have signed a five-year contract worth £60,000-per-week in wages. He prefers the left side of midfield, meaning the signing signals the end for Milan Jovanovic, who proved a flop last season after moving on a free transfer from Standard Liege.

Elsewhere, highly-rated Udinese defender Cristian Zapata has claimed that he is on the brink of moving to Liverpool.

The 24-year-old Columbian international told La Fm, I do not know what to say, I can say that I am very close to Liverpool. At the end of the Copa America, we will see what happens with my future. I have gained experience, but the time has come for me to make the jump to a big team.

The Anfield club's pursuit of Birmingham defender Scot Dann, according to reports from The Daily Mail, have taken a blow as Stoke City have offered a £12million bid for the central defender. After failing to land the now Man United defender Phil Jones, Liverpool had turned their attention on Dann. However, if Dann was to move to Stoke, it would mean Ryan Shawcross is on his way out, and the Reds could sign him.