Liverpool are eyeing a loan move for AC Milan midfielder Nigel de Jong to replace the injured Lucas, according to the Daily Mail. Lucas is expected to miss two months of the season after sustaining knee ligament injury, leaving Reds boss Brendan Rodgers light in defensive midfield. That could lead to Rodgers turning to de Jong for cover, and he will be encouraged by the fact the Netherlands international has Premier League experience having also played for Man City. However, new Milan manager Clarence Seedorf may be reluctant to sanction a move, as de Jong has become a first team regular for the Rossoneri. The 29-year-old could though be tempted by a return to England, where he won the Premier League and FA Cup with City during his three-year spell. Milan are currently struggling in Serie A and languishing in 11th place - 30 points adrift of league leaders Juventus. Meanwhile, Rodgers has been given the green light to sign FC Basel winger Mohamed Salah, but faces competition for the £8 million-rated wideman. The Liverpool boss has set his sights on fourth place this season but Tottenham, Everton and Manchester United are hot on his heels, and new signings this month could be crucial.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
