I wouldn't bother paying more than 10m or so for someone in that area. In our attack, we have 1 player, Sturridge, who is fitting of the description, and 3 who are not (not counting those out on loan). At the very least, we need someone at Sturridge's level but without the penchant for injuries. That's 30m minimum, even before we look at bulking the squad. How much money do you expect us to spend? How much money do you expect us to have left after getting one of these strikers, or are you suggesting we can do without?
Well, I'll bet you anything we won't spend more than Ł30m on a striker unless there's an absolute perfect storm of circumstances, like there almost was with Sanchez. It's just not how we operate, and it's smart strategy. Most transfers fail for almost all teams, so it's much better over the long haul to spend Ł50m on 4 players than on 1. Notice how over the last several years, once we get past the super cheap "punts," there's almost no correlation between the quality of player we bring in and what it cost to sign them.
We don't need it anyway. We'll get Origi, who, despite his struggles, will bring the physicality and mobility we lacked when Sturridge was out. You could say similar about Ings, who may not be a world beater, but will bring the movement everyone but Borini lacked with a little bit of technique to go with it (and for almost nothing). After that, we don't need a Benzema or an Icardi or whoever. We don't buy guys for that price who would demand the wages they do unless we can see a perfect fit, and neither are better than a fit Sturridge. Would I be upset if we got one? Of course not, and I wouldn't complain if that meant we stood completely pat in central midfield. But I just don't see it. For me, it's much more likely, if we buy another attacker beyond Ings and Origi, that it will be someone who plays behind the striker and scores goals, but perhaps also could play as the 9 in a pinch. The reasonably solid links to Depay are the perfect example of that. We've looked great with Sterling as a striker, so I'm not sure we will (or should be) so frightened of having him as a backup to Sturridge that we need a top tier number 9 to back up our other top tier number 9.
And, for the record, I'm not suggesting Lucas should or will be pushed out. My wild speculation is that Rodgers will take him aside in the summer and explain that there will be lots of competition for places in midfield, and he can't guarantee Lucas anything like a starter's minutes. He'll explain he definitely still wants him at the club, but if Lucas wants to leave, he'll be willing to let that happen. Much like what happened with Shelvey.
