Benítez targets £20m Silva

by Andy Hunter and Tom Kington
The Guardian,Friday June 20, 2008

Rafael Benítez has targeted the Valencia midfielder David Silva for a summer move to Liverpool providing he can raise the funds necessary to prise the Spain international from the Mestalla.

The 22-year-old Silva is valued at £20m by Valencia and so is beyond Benítez's budget as the Liverpool manager concentrates his resources on Gareth Barry and Andrea Dossena. Should Benítez complete those deals and increase his funds with the sales of Xabi Alonso, Peter Crouch, Scott Carson and Jermaine Pennant, and with almost £4m now banked from the departure of John Arne Riise to Roma, he will turn to Silva in the search for quality wide players for next season.

Valencia's price tag would remain prohibitive but Liverpool hope the current financial pressures at the Spanish club, with Benítez's former employers having to fund a new stadium, will force them to reduce the asking price for the versatile Silva. The player is also close to Liverpool's chief scout, Eduardo Macia, who coached him through Valencia's youth system.

Barry Can Go For £14m - Report

Aston Villa now look to be resigned to losing club captain Gareth Barry to Liverpool and have accepted a bid of £14 million, according to a report...

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Barry, 27, has risen through the ranks at the club and enjoyed over 10 years in the first team, rising to particular prominence this season, in which he has managed to become a regular in Fabio Capello's England side.

Liverpool registered their interest in the Villa's versatile skipper towards the end of the season to the fury of manager Martin O'Neill, who rejected their offer and slammed the manner in which they had approached the player.

That offer was thought to have been worth £10 million - a part-exchange involving goalkeeper Scott Carson, who spent the season with the Villans - but now, as Liverpool have continued to press and Barry has been lured by the prospect of Champions League football, a fee of £14 million said to have been agreed.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez has his own problems, though, as generating the finances for such a move will not come easily, despite securing a fourth place finish in the Premier League. Immense debts coupled with plans for a new stadium have left the Reds cash-strapped in the transfer market, and Benitez will have to offload some of his fringe players in order to finance the move for Barry.

John Arne Riise, Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch are said to be top of the departures list, with the 6'7 striker particularly eager to leave for first team football and Portsmouth favourites to land his services.

Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso is reportedly on the cusp of a move to Italian giants Juventus, and Barry will most likely act as a direct replacement for the Spanish international.

Udinese left-back Andrea Dossena is on the verge of a £7 million move to Anfield, having already completed a medical, with Espanyol's Albert Riera rumoured to be next.

by Brian O'Ryan, Goal.com

Liverpool close to £7m deal for Inter's Dossena

Liverpool are on the brink of completing the £7million signing of Italian full-back Andrea Dossena.

The 26-year-old is believed to be on Merseyside today having a medical ahead of a proposed move from Udinese. The proximity of the deal has been confirmed by the player's agent, Federico Pastorello, who has been quoted in the Italian media today saying: 'Everything is confirmed and we have already exchanged documents via fax. The deal is practically done.' Dossena is getting married at the weekend, but both club and player want the medical concluded and the final details of the deal settled before then. Initially, Udinese wanted £8million for the player, but a compromise has been reached and, subject to the medical, Dossena will become Liverpool's second signing of the summer following the arrival of Swiss right-back Philipp Degen. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will fund the move by selling John Arne Riise, with Roma now the favourites to sign the Norwegian. Benitez will then move to try to complete the signing of Gareth Barry, with an increased offer having been made to Aston Villa that could mean the midfielder costing upwards of £15million. Peter Crouch could be used as part-exchange in the deal. The Anfield chief is also considering formally entering the race to sign Cardiff's 17-year-old midfield star Aaron Ramsey. Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton - who made a £5million bid last night - have all been given permission to talk to the Welsh youngster, who became the youngest player to appear in an FA Cup final at Wembley last month. Liverpool made one initial inquiry but believed a deal with Manchester United was almost complete. However, it seems there is now some doubt over that, with Cardiff willing to allow the Premier League clubs to out-bid each other. Liverpool could offer winger Paul Anderson and striker Adam Hammill as loan players to Cardiff for next season. Anderson helped Swansea win promotion last season on a 12-month loan, and could now find himself offered to their bitter south Wales rivals for the next campaign.

from ESPN

Tags: Liverpool, Tranfer Rumours

Newcastle To Swoop For Anfeld Pair?

Newcastle United are being linked with a possible move for Liverpool pair Peter Crouch and John Arne Riise.

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As Kevin Keegan looks to strengthen his Newcastle squad, there is speculation that he copuld mount a double bid for his old club's striker Peter Crouch and full-back John Arne Riise.

This summer will be Keegan's first opportunity to enter the transfer market on behalf of Newcastle since he ended his first spell as Magpies' manager nine years ago.

He is keen to mould his squad for next season and is therefore expected to make some significant signings this summer.

He has Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins recovering from an ankle injury sustained on international duty and set to join Australian Mark Viduka on the sidelines for pre-season. So a striker with the track record of Crouch is thought to be an attractibve proposition for Keegan.

At the same time Norwegian left-back Riise has been linked with Newcastle for some time. Keegan has only Jose Enrique as a specialist in that position, and Riise can also provide cover in midfield.

Currently Michael Owen - who missed England's two recent friendlies with an infectious virus - is the only 'fit' first-team striker at St James' Park, and he has suffered a catalogue of injury set-backs in recent seasons.

Crouch on the other hand just wants the chance to play regular first-team football.

by Mark Hinton, Goal.com

Milner links intensify

Milner links intensify
20080601 12:06

Everton have joined Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Liverpool in the race for Newcastle winger James Milner, according to reports.

The former Leeds youngster found first-team football hard to come by at the end of last season with Magpies boss Kevin Keegan favouring an attacking trio of Mark Viduka, Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins, with three midfielders behind them. Milner, 22, knows he could secure a regular start elsewhere but also that he needs the right move at this stage in his career after making his Premier League debut in 2002 aged just 16. Goodison chief David Moyes is looking to add to his squad for another assault on the Uefa Cup and the so-called 'Big Four' but his Anfield counterpart Rafa Benitez might throw a spanner in the works after the release of Harry Kewell. Aston Villa cannot be ruled out after Milner enjoyed a loan spell with the Villans in 2005/06. from clubcall.com

Liverpool To Offer ₤20m For Ribery

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is reportedly preparing an ambitious bid for Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery…

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The French international, widely tipped to star for Les Bleus at EURO 2008 next month, has catapulted himself to superstardom since his arrival in Bavaria last summer.

The 25-year-old journeyman is now recognised as one of the most dangerous wingers in the game, alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

His performances for Bayern have alerted some of the biggest clubs in Europe, and reports from Germany claim Liverpool will offer ₤20 million for the former Marseille man.

Benitez is keen to strengthen his attacking options over the summer, and has been monitoring a number of wide players, including La Liga stars Maxi Rodriguez and Albert Riera.

Ribery’s ability to play right across the pitch will no doubt attract the former Valencia boss, as will the Frenchman’s supreme understanding with Bayern hitman Luca Toni.

Benitez is planning to build a team around star striker Fernando Torres, and Ribery could prove a stunning addition alongside Dutch youngster Ryan Babel and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard in the Reds’ 4-2-3-1 formation.

However, as Bayern paid around ₤17 million for the former Marseille man only a year ago, Rafa and co may have to up their bid if they wish to prise one of Europe’s most exciting talents away from the Allianz Arena.

by Mike Maguire,Goal.com

Tags: Liverpool, Tranfer Rumours

Rafa To Go Easy On Crouch

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch is likely to be granted his wish of leaving the club, after they finally backed down on their ambitious asking price…

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The 27-year-old was aghast when Reds boss Rafa Benitez announced it would take at least ₤15 million to prize the lanky target-man away from Anfield.

Aston Villa and Portsmouth had expressed interest in bringing back their former striker, but Liverpool’s lofty price tag seemed to scare off all potential suitors, much to Crouch’s chagrin.

The England international had previously intimated his desire to leave Merseyside in search of regular football, in order to stay well and truly in view of Three Lions boss Fabio Capello.

The former Southampton man has received few first-team opportunities in recent times, as Spanish import Fernando Torres has clearly established himself as Benitez’s first-choice forward since arriving last summer from Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool gradually favoured a 4-2-3-1 system throughout the season, meaning Crouch was basically reduced to filling in when Torres was injured or rested – although he did usually impress when given the chance.

But Crouch’s hopes of regular football have taken a turn for the better, as Benitez and co are prepared to knock up to ₤5 million off their asking price, according to The Sun.

Pompey had an initial ₤7 million bid rejected, but Harry Redknapp may well snare his man if he can up the number to ₤10 million.

Villa are also still in the hunt, and as Gareth Barry looks increasingly likely to leave the Midlands in favour of Merseyside, the possibility remains of a swap deal that would see Crouch return to Villa Park.

by Mike Maguire,Goal.com

Tags: Liverpool, Tranfer Rumours

Liverpool And Everton Eye Johnson

Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton are set to go head-to-head in their efforts to land Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson, according to reports.

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Johnson, an England under-21 international, had an impressive season for the Eastland-club, making twenty-three league appearances and drawing plaudits for his midfield displays.

Such form did not go unnoticed by City’s rivals and the uncertainty surrounding manager Sven-Göran Eriksson could lead to Johnson’s exit as he, along with several other first-team players, seek the security other Premier League clubs can offer.

With Xabi Alonso looking increasingly set on a move to Italy and talks with Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry deadlocked, Liverpool could well swoop for Johnson within the next two weeks to see off the challenge from The Toffees.

David Moyes, however, is keen to bolster his midfielder after the departure of Lee Carsley and has the funds to match City’s estimated value of Johnson which stands at £10 million.

Eriksson’s future at City is set to be decided within the next ten days by the club’s owner Thaksin Shinawatra with reports suggesting that he has already been lined up as Mexico coach.

by William Wood,Goal.com

Tags: Liverpool, Tranfer Rumours

It's just Fontaine for me reveals Liverpool boss Benitez

By Sportsmail Reporter

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is pondering a shock £1m move for Bristol City defender Liam Fontaine.

The 22-year-old centre back was in the side beaten by Hull in the Championship Play-off Final on Saturday.

Dip in the market: Rafa Benitez

But reports in The Mirror suggest Fontaine could yet end up in the Premier League as Benitez looks to strengthen his squad.

Fontaine is versatile - he can play at left back and in midfield - and City manager Gary Johnson could struggle to hold on him, especially with Benitez offering Champions League football and City consigned to another season in the second tier.

from dailymail.co.uk

Tags: Liverpool, Tranfer Rumours

It's just Fontaine for me reveals Liverpool boss Benitez

By Sportsmail Reporter

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is pondering a shock £1m move for Bristol City defender Liam Fontaine.

The 22-year-old centre back was in the side beaten by Hull in the Championship Play-off Final on Saturday.

Dip in the market: Rafa Benitez

But reports in The Mirror suggest Fontaine could yet end up in the Premier League as Benitez looks to strengthen his squad.

Fontaine is versatile - he can play at left back and in midfield - and City manager Gary Johnson could struggle to hold on him, especially with Benitez offering Champions League football and City consigned to another season in the second tier.

from dailymail.co.uk

Tags: Liverpool, Tranfer Rumours

Benitez To Spend £70 Million

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is hoping to spend £70 million this summer as he rebuilds his squad and attempts to bring the Premier League title to Anfield for the first time.

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Liverpool’s American owners are expected to hand Benitez £20 million to enhance his squad but Benitez is hoping he can also raise £50 million from player sales to ensure a massive summer spending spree.

According to the News of the World Benitez is hoping to be able to raise £50 million from the sales of players such as Xabi Alonso, Peter Crouch, Scott Carson, John Arne Riise, Jermaine Pennant, Steve Finnan and Andriy Voronin.

He will then use the money to help strengthen his squad and is reported to have his eye on Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry as well as Andrew Dossena from Udinese. Liverpool have also this week confirmed the transfer of defender Philipp Degen, albeit on a free transfer.

Despite the ongoing behind the scenes ownership battles at Anfield it seems likely that Benitez will be handed more time and money at Liverpool to challenge for the title.

Despite spending heavily last season on players such as Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano and Ryan Babel, Liverpool finished the season without a trophy and some eleven points behind champions Manchester United.

Captain Steven Gerrard has already called for more investment in the squad if his side are to close the gap on Manchester United and Chelsea and it seems as if his words are going to be heeded and another busy summer in the transfer market awaits for Liverpool.

by Gill Clark,goals.com

Tags: Liverpool, Tranfer Rumours

Rafa set to seal £13m double swoop

Liverpool are close to completing a £13million double swoop for Italian defender Andrea Dossena and Spain and former Manchester City loanman Albert Riera.

Kop negotiations are at an advanced stage for 26-year-old Udinese left-back Dossena who will cost £8m and is set to replace John Arne Riise, the News of the World says.

Riera, 26 – who was on loan at Manchester City two years ago – also looks Anfield-bound for £5m.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez will use the highly-rated Argentine Sebastian Leto as bait in a swap deal.

from lep.co.uk

Liverpool close in on Dossena

Liverpool are closing in on Udinese left-back Andrea Dossena, according to the Italian club's coach Pasquale Marino.

Dossena: Wanted by Liverpool

The 26-year-old defender, who impressed this season in helping his side qualify for the UEFA Cup, has been linked with an £8million move to Anfield in the last few weeks and it appears negotiations are progressing.

"I think that a deal with Liverpool for Dossena is on the way," Marino told Italian station Radio Kiss Kiss.

"Everything is going smoothly. The requirements are in place and the player has given his consent because he wants to test himself at an important club after the season he has had.

"Our director general was in England partly because of that just two days ago."

from teamtalk.com

Rafa eyes Taylor as three keepers set to leave Liverpool

Premier League survivors Fulham have joined the race to sign Scott Carson, who is set to be one of three goalkeepers to leave Liverpool this summer.

Anfield manager Rafa Benitez will try to sign Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor as back-up for Pepe Reina.

Reina's current deputy, Charles Itandje, has been told he will be allowed to find another club, while young prospect David Martin will go out on loan next season to gain experience.

from dailymail.co.uk

Tags: Liverpool, Tranfer Rumours

LFC rumour mill: Riera, Kranjcar, Bentley and Crouch expected ou

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is planning an £8million swoop for Albert Riera, according to weekend reports.

The Spain press claim the 26-year-old Espanyol winger is seen as essential by Benitez for a title challenge next season.

He made fifteen appearances for Manchester City during a loan spell in 2006.

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Liverpool are launching a bid for Portsmouth midfielder Niko Kranjcar, according to web rumours.

According to the gossip, Benitez is trying to tie Kranjcar into a deal that has already been agreed for Peter Crouch to move back to the South Coast side this summer from Anfield.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has fixed an £8m fee for Crouch, but Benitez now wants to offer his striker plus cash to lure the 23-year-old Croatian away from Fratton Park.

Kranjcar has been playing for Pompey on the left wing, but Benitez plans to switch him onto the right with Ryan Babel staying on the opposite side.

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The battle for David Bentley continues for Liverpool, if you believe some of the more extreme gossips online.

The latest speculation is that Bentley has already turned down a new contract at Blackburn worth between £40,000 and £50,000 a week - he has three years on his existing deal.

Bentley would cost around £15m and is in demand this summer because clubs are eager to recruit young English players in case Fifa push through their quotas proposal that would insist on a certain ratio of homegrown players in every first XI, apparently.

Liverpool face competition from Chelsea and Tottenham for Bentley.

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Premier League survivors Fulham have joined the race to sign Scott Carson, who is set to be one of three goalkeepers to leave Liverpool this summer.

Anfield manager Rafa Benitez will try to sign - and it's not the first time this has been claimed - Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor as back-up for Pepe Reina.

Reina's current deputy, Charles Itandje, has been told he will be allowed to find another club, while young prospect David Martin will go out on loan next season to gain experience.

from liverpooldailypost.co.uk

Tags: Liverpool, Tranfer Rumours

eeper Carson set to leave Liverpool, with Villa the likely buyers

Scott Carson is se to leave Liverpool after their manager Rafa Benitez agreed to drop his asking price from £10million to around £6million.

Aston Villa look most likely to sign him, with Martin O'Neill already having spent £1.75million as part of this season's loan deal.

Scroll down for more

Scott Carson looks set to leave Liverpool

from dailymail.co.uk

Tags: Liverpool, Tranfer Rumours

Liverpool in advanced talks with Birmingham keeper Taylor

Liverpool are set to snap up Birmingham City goalkeeper Maik Taylor.

The Independent says negotiations are at an advanced stage for Bosman prospect Taylor, who will move to Anfield as a back-up to Jose Reina.

from tribalfootball.com

Tags: Liverpool, Tranfer Rumours, News

Udinese Reps. on Merseyside in Double-Swoop

It is being reported by Tribal that Udinese representatives had discussions in Merseyside last week with regards to a double-swoop for Gokhan Inler (pictured) and Andrea Dossena after an outstanding season in serie a.

Inler, a 23 year-old Turkish-born Swiss International midfielder, has made 32 first-team appearances in his first and what appears to be his only season in Italy.

Dossena, a 23 year-old wing-back, has so far failed to achieve regular International football with Italy but has played some quality football this season and it is expected that Udinese will cash in on the pair.

By Redneck

from kop-tv

Tags: Liverpool, Tranfer Rumours, News

Philipp Degen - Our new signing

It is reported that Swiss international full back Philipp Degen is one of the reported three signings Rafa Benitez has already secured for this summer.

25 year old Degen is currently at Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga having previously played for FC Basle and was in the Switzerland squad in the World Cup 2006. His contract expires with Dortmund this summer and is available as a Bosman signing.

He is said to be technically sound right back but can also play on the left side if required. Newstalk 106 had a German correspondent on their show on Wednesday night who responded to talk of Philip Lahm rumours by indicating that the deal for Degen has been done.

Degen has played as a right winger at some stage in his career but is described as an attacking but strong full back where he has been used most by Dortmund since joining them in 2005.

from thisisanfield.com

Tags: Liverpool, Tranfer Rumours

Reds Linked With Cruzeiro Star

Marcelo Moreno is a 20-year-old striker who’s half Bolivian and half Brazilian. He plays for Brazilian outfit Cruzeiro.

His form has attracted the attention of two of Europe’s biggest clubs in Real Madrid and Liverpool, with both said to be ready to make a move in the coming weeks in order to tie up the talanted marksman’s signature in time for next season.

Moreno netted 10 goals in 14 apperences for his club last season and already has 6 goals in 6 apperences in the Copa Libertadores this season (the South American champions leauge).

When asked about the rumoured interest he dismissed any knowledge of their interest.

“I do not know anything about this and if I was to leave Brazil it would have to be a deal that is good for me and for Cruzeiro. My only concern is to continue working hard.”

His coach Adílson Batista said:

“I have also heard of other clubs interested in the player, but for the time being nothing is concrete.”

“He looks like being an excellent player. Cruzeiro is a shop window, a great school that is currently having a good moment and this type of speculation is normal.”

Profile : Marcelo Moreno

Marcelo Moreno Martins or Marcelo Moreno, (born in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolívia, on June 18, 1987) is a Bolivian football player, currently playing for Cruzeiro.

Born in Bolivia to a Brazilian father and Bolivian mother, Marcelo Moreno has played for the Brazilian U20 national team at the youth level, but chose to play for the Bolivian senior national team as a professional.

Due to his recent success playing for Cruzeiro, he received his first call-up for a friendly match against Peru on September 12th, 2007.

Moreno is also well known for his trademark goal celebration. After scoring, he gets down on one knee and acts as though he is shooting a machine gun.

Contract

• 19th March 2007 to 18th March 2012

From Wikipedia

Marcelo Moreno - Cruzeiro Video



by fissicaro