Liverpool have contacted Spartak Moscow about the possibility of signing Brazilian midfielder Romulo in January.

Romulo was linked with a move to Anfield over the summer, while Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona have all previously scouted the 23-year-old.

But the injury to Lucas Leiva has forced Brendan Rodgers to reassess his options, and Romulo is the Liverpool manager's preference.

Recent reports suggested that Liverpool could move for Milan midfielder Nigel De Jong after learning that Lucas could be out for up to two months.

But Rodgers has distanced himself from that speculation and now reports in Russia suggest that the Reds have instead started making enquiries about Romulo again.

Indeed, some reports suggest that Liverpool have made Spartak an opening bid in the region of £7m with the Russian club holding out for closer to £10m.

Spartak's preference is to see Romulo remain in Russia until the end of the season having only just seen him return from a serious knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines for the best part of 18 months.

Romulo moved to Spartak in 2012 from Vasco Da Gama for approximately £6.5m and has won eight caps for Brazil.

Earlier today Rodgers ruled out bringing out any additional defenders in this transfer window - despite having a number of players out injured - but insisted the club is keeping its options open with respect to other positions.

Source: Daily Express