Reds line up Stoke star and other red-hot gossip

(24-12-2010) Roy Hodgson is ready to beef up Liverpool’s defence by making a play for Stoke defender Robert Huth in the January transfer window. The former Chelsea and Middlesbrough player is valued at £5m. The Reds are struggling at the back following injuries to Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger. Elsewhere, Birmingham have made signing veteran Tottenham striker Robbie Keane their priority for the January transfer window; Hamburg are to approach Manchester City misfit Jo with a way out of Eastlands; Arsenal striker Robin van Persie could be the target of a bid from Bundesliga club Bayern Munich; Nicolas Anelka's agent has claimed the striker could move to the United States when his Chelsea contract expires in 2012; and Everton are in a battle with Aston Villa to sign Middlesbrough defender David Wheater.