The one common theme in these kind of situations, and really whenever we have sold any of our higher profile players over the years, is just how strong Jeremy Peace and the Board are when it comes to negotiations.
As always with these stories, it's impossible to say how near the mark they actually are, and it's not hard to understand why the media are linking numerous strikers with Liverpool at this moment in time.
I could just imagine the prospective negotiations in the unlikely event that this story was true:
Liverpool: We want Saido and will pay you £10M
Jeremy Peace: the price is £25M plus add ons
Liverpool: No way! we'll pay you £12M and that's it
Jeremy Peace: the price is £25M plus add ons
Liverpool: Look we'll go to £15M take it or leave it
Jeremy Peace: the price is £25M plus add ons
Liverpool: You're being unreasonable, £18M and that's our final offer
Jeremy Peace: the price is £25M plus add ons
(Liverpool become increasingly desperate as none of their strikers can score and Mario's set off another firework in his bathroom)
Liverpool: Ok, make it £20M and let's bring this deal to a close, and that's it, no more negotiation
Jeremy Peace: the price is £25M with add ons
Liverpool: Ok, (exasperated Liverpool negotiator now mentally worn down) agreed.