After snapping up Jordan Henderson for the reported princely sum of £20 million, it’s difficult to argue against Wigan chairman Dave Whelan asking Liverpool to stump up £15m for Charles N’Zogbia.

The Frenchman was influential in Roberto Martinez’s survival bid last term and has been a consistent threat at the DW Stadium since his arrival in 2009 from Newcastle United after a bust-up with former manager Joe Kinnear.

Whelan looks set to get a significant return on his £6m investment two years ago, but while the winger is reportedly interested in being reunited with St James’ Park, it’s impossible to rule out Liverpool continuing their hefty spending trend since January and weighing in with an offer to trump Alan Pardew.

Kenny Dalglish has already lost out on one winger as Sylvain Marveaux opted to join Newcastle United, but the Anfield boss remains adamant his side require adequate wingers to supply the effervescent Luis Suarez and feed the aerial prowess of Andy Carroll.

Last season, Dirk Kuyt displayed tenacity, coupled with a keen eye for goal to be worth being considered a more forward role, rather than the wing position he was delegated under Rafa Benitez’s reign. The Dutchman flourish when supporting Suarez, and it’s difficult to envisages Dalglish placing him back on the wing after a series of stellar performances.

Liverpool’s exodus of the flanks looks set this summer as Maxi Rodriguez has recently pined for a move back to his home nation Argentina, Joe Cole’s inaugural season at Anfield can only be considered a failure, while Milan Jovanovic is similarly fighting for the exit door with the former England international.

N’Zogbia’s statistics last season hint he is capable of injecting a new lease of life on the Liverpool flanks. In 34 league appearances, the 25-year-old scored nine goals, while providing five assists for a side who were the second lowest scorers in the Premier League behind Birmingham City.

Although the Frenchman’s shots-to-goal ratio wasn’t brilliant (he averaged 1.6 shots per game), his prowess on the ball makes him an ideal fit in Liverpool’s system.

In the league, N’Zogbia averaged two key passes per game, the same as Liverpool’s Raul Meireles, with 78% pass success rate, which is only one per cent less than the Portuguese midfielder.

The Wigan man also impressed with 3.2 successful dribbles per game, the same record as Suarez, who topped Liverpool’s charts with the same total. His only drawback, which comes with the territory of taking on defenders frequently, as his dispossessed count of 3.3 times, which is higher than any Liverpool player.

But that small blip is just a single blemish on what was a prosperous record last season. Whelan has hinted the winger could stay at Martinez’s side over the summer, but Liverpool and the clout they bring with the chequebook could see the Wigan chairman gain a hefty return on his investment.