LFC Transfer News: Liverpool to sell Fabio Borini to Sunderland for £14 million

It looked like Fabio Borini was going to get the opportunity to fight for a role with Liverpool after a successful loan spell at Sunderland last season, but he's now going to make a permanent move to Sunderland where he will be the first choice striker instead. Borini was the first player Brendan Rodgers signed when he took over as Liverpool manager. Between injuries and struggles to gain form, the Italian striker failed to make much of an impression in his time in Merseyside, netting just 2 goals in 20 appearances.

Loaning Borini to Sunderland for the 2013-14 season seemed like a strong move. With Sturridge and Suarez ahead of him on the depth chart, he was unlikely to play very much, and a move to Sunderland meant he would get plenty of  opportunity to find the form that eluded him in his first season with Liverpool. He played well for the Black Cats, and was key in their late season push to avoid relegation, scoring huge game winning goals against Manchester City (on a penalty kick) and against Chelsea. He also scored Sunderland's only goal in their League Cup Final loss to Manchester City. He finished with 10 goals in his 40 appearances.

Fabio's late season form led many to believe he would be able to make an impression at Anfield this season, but the signing of Rickie Lambert put a bit of a damper on that idea. Then, the sale of Luis Suarez, and Iago Aspas' loan to Sevilla seemed to put Borini back in a position to challenge for playing time. In the end, Borini opted to make a move to a club where the starting striker position is his job to lose.

While I'm sad that Borini will never get a chance to prove himself at Liverpool, I'm thrilled he will get a chance to play regularly for a Premier League side. While he certainly struggled in his limited playing time with the Reds, he was a likable person and player, and I certainly wish him the best.

Now, what does the sale of Borini mean for Liverpool? The club will make a profit, as Borini was bought for around £10 million, but the striker depth we were all so happy about when Lambert was signed has quickly disappeared. With the sales of Borini and Suarez, and Aspas' loan, Sturridge and Lambert are the only strikers in the squad. A deal for Divock Origi is still possible, but even if he's bought, he plans to stay at Lille on loan for this season, so that doesn't address the issue of depth. It seems like QPR's Loic Remy is the top striker target right now. Harry Redknapp has said Remy wants to play in the Champion's League, and he apparently has an £8 million release clause. Alexandre Lacazette is another option. Liverpool are said to be very interested in the Lyon man. At just 23 years old, he is 4 years younger than Remy, and seems to have more potential, but he will cost twice as much, and may be a little more green than Remy. It's also possible that Liverpool target a more proven striker considering they now have at least £90 million to work with thanks to the sales of Suarez and Borini. Whatever happens, you can be sure that Liverpool will be very active for the remainder of this transfer window.