DECEMBER 31
Liverpool Morientes bid hits fresh snag

By Andy Hunter - Daily Post

Liverpool face a new obstacle in their attempt to sign Fernando Morientes after another managerial change at Real Madrid yesterday - as Harry Kewell was told he faces five weeks on the sidelines.

Anfield officials are anxious to seal the striker's signature when the transfer window reopens and are prepared to raise their offer to £5million to tempt Madrid to sell.

But the deal could be furthered delayed after Morientes's agent, Gines Carvajal, admitted he needs to discover new Madrid coach Wanderley Luxemburgo's plans before pressing ahead with the transfer.

Luxemburgo, who coached the Brazil national team between 1998 and 2000 and led them to success at the 1999 Copa America, has replaced Mariano Garcia Remon, who has been relieved of his firstteam duties after just three months in charge.

And Carvajal insisted last night: "Now that there is a new coach we will have to see what his opinion of the situation is.

"I don't believe that either the President (Florentino Perez) or the club will simply dispense with the player without talking to a new coach."

Liverpool remain confident of striking a deal and though they have not improved their offer as yet Anfield officials concede they must go above £3.5m to land Rafael Benitez's top transfer target.

Madrid are still holding out for £7m, with interest reported from four English clubs and two French outfits, although Morientes has made it clear that he is only interested in a move to Merseyside.

"Yes, I am going to England - I have decided," he said. "I will go to Liverpool and for many reasons. The main reason is the coach Rafa Benitez. He is Spanish and knows me perfectly, which is worth a lot for a professional.

"We have asked Real Madrid to make a fast solution and I don't want to expand any further, except to say I am already looking through the English dictionary."

Benitez does have other targets if the Morientes saga drags on, however, and a report in L'Equipe yesterday claimed Liverpool have approached Nicolas Anelka with a three-year contract offer.

Although Manchester City last night reacted angrily to further speculation over Anelka's future.

A spokesman said: "This is now becoming tiresome and we will not continue to respond to this crazy speculation. We have had no enquiry about Nicolas Anelka."

DECEMBER 30
Morientes set on Reds switch

By Peter ORourke - Planet Football/Sky Sports

Fernando Morientes insists he has his heart set on a switch to Liverpool.

Liverpool have been long-term suitors of the Real Madrid striker and are believed to have had one bid turned down for the Spain international.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is in the market for a striker having lost Djibril Cisse to a long-term injury and is almost certain to bring in a new front-man during the January transfer window.

Four English clubs and two French sides are believed to be tracking Morientes, but the player has set his sights on a switch to Anfield.

"Yes, I am going to England - I have decided," said Morientes.

"I will go to Liverpool and for many reasons. The main reason is the coach Rafa Benitez. He is Spanish and knows me perfectly, which is worth a lot for a professional.

"We have asked Real Madrid to make a fast solution and I don't want to expand any further, except to say I am already looking through the English dictionary."

The player's agent Gines Carvajal admitted Morientes' future is down to Real Madrid agreeing a fee for the player after snubbing Liverpool's initial offer.

"Everything depends on Real Madrid. I haven't seen anything in writing from Liverpool," said Carvajal.

"I know they spoke with Madrid and the initial amount did not satisfy the president [Florentino Perez].

"But within the right price frame the feelings of the player will be a priority. That is important."

DECEMBER 27
Four English clubs eye Morientes

BBC Sport Online

Four Premiership clubs are now in the race to sign Fernando Morientes from Real Madrid, says the striker's agent.

Liverpool, who are thought to have had a £3.5m bid rejected by Real, were joined in the battle to sign the 28-year-old by Newcastle last week.

But the Spain striker's agent Gines Carvajal said: "Morientes now has four offers from different English clubs and two from French teams.

"Therefore we will have to wait and see what happens."

Morientes is thought to favour a move to Liverpool ahead of Newcastle, but his decision could change depending on the identity of the two other unnamed clubs.

Carvajal added: "He is very clear in his mind that he wants to play and wants to do so in a great and competitive team.

"We're not considering a loan deal. What we want is a transfer. He already went last season on loan for six months and he doesn't want to do that again."

That loan spell was with Monaco and they are probably one of the French outfits mentioned by the agent.

Whatever happens, Morientes seems destined to leave Real in January, after falling behind Ronaldo, Michael Owen and Raul in the pecking order at the Bernabeu.

Real vice-president Emilio Butragueno told Spanish newspaper Marca: "If there is a fantastic offer then we will consider it.

"He is a very good player and we're not going to stand in anyone's way, not least Fernando because he has always behaved in a professional manner."

Madrid are thought to want at least £7m for the striker, but are reported to have told Liverpool they would accept less in return for a first option on Anfield captain and England star Steven Gerrard.

DECEMBER 24
Benitez pursuing striking options

By Andy Hunter - Daily Post

Rafael Benitez last night revealed he has broadened his search for a new striker and warned Real Madrid he will not be held to ransom over Fernando Morientes.

The Liverpool manager remains keen to bring the Spanish international to Anfield in the transfer window but is growing increasingly frustrated at Madrid's refusal to lower their £7million asking price.

Benitez does not have £7m to spend in January and believes Monday's £3.5m offer is a fair valuation of a 28-year-old with 18 months remaining on his contract.

But if Morientes is unable to persuade the Spanish giants to reach a compromise deal, Benitez admits he will step up his interest in alternative targets - including Manchester City's Nicolas Anelka.

"I have read in the papers that Morientes wants to play for Liverpool," he said.

"I know Newcastle are trying to sign the player and talk to Madrid but the player has made it clear that he wants to come here.

"We are not going to do anything differently at the moment. Morientes is an option but we are also looking at different options. It is not a good idea to only have one option.

"I am happy with Mellor, Baros and Sinama but we have a lot of games coming up in four competitions and we will need to have another striker.

"There are a lot of players on the market and I am sure we will find the best one for Liverpool.

"But we don't want to pay a lot of money for the player, he has to be at the right price.

"Morientes is one of the players we are talking about but he is not the only one. He is a good player but I have other options."

Madrid have admitted that a "fantastic offer" could persuade them to part with Morientes.

New vice-president Emilio Butragueno admitted he understood the striker's frustration at his lack of first-team football but insisted any deal had to also benefit Madrid.

He told Spanish newspaper Marca: "If there is a fantastic offer then we will consider it.

"Morientes is a very good player and we are not going to stand in anyone's way, not least Fernando because he has always behaved in a professional manner, but we also have to look at the interests of the club.

"It is clear that Fernando is upset at not playing very much but I also have to say that the season is very long.

"I remember two years ago when we played Juventus in the Champions League and we had Javier Portillo and Morientes in attack. I understand Fernando and he understands our position."

DECEMBER 23
Liverpool still lead Morientes chase

By Andy Hunter - Daily Post

Liverpool remain confident of striking a deal for Fernando Morientes despite Real Madrid's attempts to lure them into an auction for the Spanish international.

Morientes's agent Gines Carvaja has insisted "several European clubs" are chasing his client, who has also been linked with a return to Monaco, and Newcastle were yesterday linked with a surprise £10million bid for the 28-year-old.

Monaco, however, appear to have little chance of recapturing the striker who helped them to the Champions League final last season.

And with Morientes believed to favour a move to Anfield over St James' Park Liverpool remain strong favourites to clinch his signature providing they can reach a compromise deal with Madrid.

Liverpool refuse to be drawn into a bidding war for the striker and are so far the only club to register an official interest with Monday's £3.5m bid, although it could take a £5m offer before Madrid are tempted to sell.

That figure represents Rafael Benitez's transfer budget in January but the payments owed on Michael Owen's summer move to the Bernabeu could be offset against any deal for Morientes.

DECEMBER 22
Toon out to scupper deal for Morientes

By Chris Bascombe - Liverpool Echo

Newcastle are trying to sabotage Liverpool's bid for Fernando Morientes by making their own move for the striker.

But Anfield boss Rafa Benitez won't get involved in a bidding war and will switch his attention to Nicolas Anelka if the situation drags on.

Morientes met Real President Fiorentino Perez yesterday to plead to be allowed to join Liverpool.

But Perez is adamant the Reds' £3.5m bid isn't acceptable and continues to overprice the 28-year-old.

A showdown meeting involving Morientes, Perez and the player's agent, Gines Carvaja, took place in Madrid.

Morientes was told he can leave the Bernabeu, but only at the right price.

Madrid still haven't officially rejected Liverpool's first bid for the Spaniard and appear to be trying to inflate his value by involving other clubs.

Madrid officials told the player both Newcastle and Monaco are prepared to pay more than the £3.5m on the table.

There is even a suggestion Geordies boss Graeme Souness is ready to bid as much as £10m for the 28-year-old.

Liverpool are sure to increase their offer to £5m if Real indicate they'll allow Morientes to move to Anfield, but won't go beyond this fee.

The £7m price tag orginally placed on Morientes' head is seen as ridiculous given his age and he has only 18 months left on his contract.

Benitez thinks the ball is in the player's court and his next move will be influenced by how much he feels Morientes wants to come to Anfield.

Until last night, all the indications were the striker is desperate to join the Reds, but Liverpool hoped the meeting in Madrid would resolve the situation.

That hasn't happened, and any hint Morientes is willing to discuss a transfer elsewhere will lead to Benitez ending his interest.

Benitez has other options, and an alternative swoop for Anelka shouldn't be ruled out.

Anelka is desperate to return to Anfield and there is an increasing momentum heading in his favour.

The French striker is attractive because he is younger, proven in the Premiership, and isn't cup-tied for the Champions League.

Liverpool would like to take Anelka on loan until the end of the season, with a view to a transfer this summer, but City could accept £6m in January.

DECEMBER 21
Monaco key to striker deals

By Patrick Haond - Planet Football/Sky Sports

Monaco are ready to battle Liverpool for Fernando Morientes's signature, and Rangers are watching the situation closely.

The Real Madrid striker has already been the subject of a bid from Liverpool and is reportedly keen to tie up a move to Merseyside.

However, Monaco are determined to make a dramatic push to lure the Spaniard back to the stage where he shone during a successful loan spell last season.

Despite previous denials, chairman Michel Pastor is hopeful he can convince the 28-year-old that the option of a move to the Principality is more attractive than a switch to Anfield.

The financial aspect of the deal is a major stumbling block for Monaco but they are prepared to offer around €7 million for their top target.

It is also understood that Morientes is willing to lower his salary to facilitate a return to Stade Louis II.

For Didier Deschamps to be successful in his bid, a striker would have to be sacrificed to raise funds and Shabani Nonda is an obvious candidate.

Rangers, who should have cash to spend providing Jean-Alain Boumsong completes his proposed move to Newcastle United, can prove to be an ideal solution for the African, who is out of contract in the summer.

Nonda rejected a two-year extension with Monaco and his thigh injury problems have seemingly deterred the likes of Paris Saint Germain and Juventus from making a firm offer for his services.

However, Rangers are still keen to land the 27-year-old, who would be expected to score regularly in the SPL.

A meeting at Juan-les-Pins in the Cote d'Azur reportedly took place last Friday between Gers officials, Nonda and his agents.

Alex McLeish would love to partner Nonda with his former Monaco team-mate and great friend Dado Prso, who is thoroughly enjoying life in Glasgow, but he may be prepared to bide his time and wait until the summer.

This would obviously upset any plans Pastor and Deschamps have to raise funds to finance their bid for Morientes, but there will be plenty of twists to the transfer market dealings in January.

DECEMBER 21
Morientes wants Reds move

By Adam Marshall - Planet Football/Sky Sports

Fernando Morientes wants to join Liverpool, according to the Merseyside club's official website.

The Real Madrid striker, the subject of interest from across Europe, has apparently made it clear that he wants to complete a January move to Anfield.

With reports claiming Real will ask for first option on Steven Gerrard as part of the deal, there seems little chance of the Bernabeu outfit doing business at the sort of level being suggested in Liverpool.

It is believed that an initial €5 million bid has been laughed out by Real's hierarchy, who rate last season's top scorer in the UEFA Champions League at closer to €12 million.

Nevertheless, Morientes is quoted on Liverpool's website as urging the two clubs to come to a swift agreement.

"Madrid know my situation and they know they must do something about me," he is reported to have said.

"They must sort out the situation by being sensible.

"I haven't spoken to [Liverpool manager] Rafa Benitez but I have always appreciated his work and I would like to play for him.

"There are things that must be sorted out now and I hope they can do it.

"I am a Madrid player and my circumstances are difficult because I must wait for them to decide.

"But I would like it to be resolved with maturity.

"I like Liverpool and I am pleased that a club of their stature wants to buy me.

"I have told Madrid that I want it to happen."

Thor Zakariassen ©