JANUARY 23
Birmingham planning second Anfield raid
Kop Talk
Newspaper reports today claim that Birmingham City are planning to
make a bid to sign Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer.
City boss Steve Bruce has just completed the signing of Salif Diao on
loan and has now been tipped to return for his team-mate who is close to
a return from injury.
Smicer is out of contract in the summer so there's every chance that
City could hold back until then to see how he fairs once he returns to
action.
JANUARY 23
Liverpool
offer Real Madrid winger Anfield contract
Kop Talk
Newspaper reports today claim that Liverpool have offered Real
Madrid's left-sided midfielder Santiago Solari a pre-contract despite
strong interest from Manchester United and Inter Milan.
The 28-year-old Argentinian is out of contract in the summer and is free
to discuss a possible move now and it is suggested that manager Rafael
Benitez sees Solari as the ideal candidate to replace Kop flop Harry
Kewell.
Solari has made it clear that he would like to leave Spain to test
himself in the Premiership but will he opt for Old Trafford or Anfield,
if he sticks to his word?
JANUARY 14
Reds sweet on Mintal
By Thomas Zeh - Planet Football/Sky Sports
Nurnberg's Marek Mintal could be set for a lucrative move to the
Premiership - according to reports in the German media.
The Slovakian international claims that one of The Premiership's big guns
has made contact with his agent - and speculation in Germany has pointed
to Liverpool as the interested party.
While Mintal insists that a move during the January transfer window is not
on the agenda, he hinted he would consider a switch to England at the end
of the season.
"One of England's top clubs has contacted my advisor," Mintal told German
sports-paper Sportbild.
"I definitely won't leave in the winter, but let's wait and see what
happens in the summer."
The 27-year-old is currently the Bundesliga's leading goal-getter after
scoring 13 goals in 17 games for Nurnberg and it is believed that the
unfashionable club will fail to keep the talented player at the
Frankenstadion, despite a contract until 2008.
Mintal joined the Black-and-Red's in 2003 from Slovakian outfit MSK Zilina
and played a vital role in helping Nurnberg to win promotion back to the
German top-flight.
The club have denied that they have received an official bid yet, but
their director of sport Martin Bader admitted that scouts from Liverpool
have been present on several occasions.
"We haven't been contacted yet, but it's true that scouts from Liverpool
were here several times," declared Bader.
If Liverpool do decide firm up their interest in Mintal, they will almost
certainly have to beat tough competition from a handful of Bundesliga
teams for the player, and it is believed that Nurnberg would expect a
transfer fee of at least €4 million for their most valuable asset.
JANUARY 13
Feyenoord target duo
By Peter ORourke - Planet Football/Sky Sports
Feyenoord are believed to be planning a double swoop on England.
Reports emanating from Holland suggest Feyenoord are weighing up moves for
Liverpool's Stephane Henchoz and on-loan West Brom defender Cosmin Contra.
Feyenoord boss Ruud Gullit is determined to bolster his squad in the
transfer window and has made defensive reinforcements his top priority.
Henchoz seems set to leave Liverpool after dropping out Rafa Benitez's
plans at Anfield.
Celtic, Rangers, Bolton and Southampton are all thought to be keen on the
Swiss international, but now Feyenoord are believed to have entered the
chase for his signature.
JANUARY 13
Benitez
still keen on striker
despite
Morientes signing
Kop Talk
Newspaper reports today claim that Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is
still in the market for another striker despite the imminent signing of
Fernando Morientes from Real Madrid.
If today's reports are accurate, Liverpool want to press ahead with the
signing of Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson. Rafa rates Johnson very
highly and believes he is just the man to add additional firepower to his
squad with Florent-Sinama Pongolle and Neil Mellor facing the axe.
Palace want £8million for Johnson and that could prove a problem.
Liverpool will do their best to negotiate that fee down especially after
paying out more than £2million more than they had budgeted for Morientes.
Nicolas Anelka is another player under consideration although chief
executive Rick Parry would prefer it if he wasn't brought back to Anfield.
JANUARY 9
Owen tipped
for Real Madrid exit
Kop Talk
Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen is to be axed by new Real Madrid
boss Wanderley Luxemburgo and Sporting Director Arrigo Sacchi.
Owen, along with David Beckham and Jonathan Woodgate, will all be shown
the door according to numerous media sources today as the new regime at
Real plan a major overhaul of the squad.
Barcelona have been tipped to make a move for Owen although there are
suggestions he could be loaned out to a Serie A outfit on a season-long
loan once Real secure another high-profile striker.
JANUARY 9
Mersey duo lead
Pennant chase
Sporting Life
Liverpool and Everton are leading the chase to sign Jermaine Pennant
from Arsenal.
The highly-rated 22-year-old winger is out of contract at Highbury in the
summer, and the Mersey giants are rumoured are to be heading the queue for
his signature.
According to The News Of The World both Rafael Benitez and David Moyes are
both keen to capture Pennant.
The tabloid claims Dutch side Ajax and two more Premiership clubs -
Manchester City and Southampton - are also monitoring developments.
Pennant joined Arsenal for £1.5million from Notts County in 1999 and spent
last season on loan at Leeds United.
But fierce competition for places at Highbury means he hasn't been able to
hold down a regular first-team berth with the Gunners.
JANUARY 9
Liverpool in
shock Johnson swoop
Sporting Life
Liverpool have made a shock move for Crystal Palace striker Andy
Johnson.
The Reds, hit by the loss of Djibril Cisse to a horrific injury, are
already trying to sign another striker in Real Madrid's Fernando
Morientes.
But according to the Sunday Express they're also real to swoop for
highly-rated Johnson.
The Sunday paper claims Reds boss Rafael Benitez has already offered
out-of-favour defender Stephane Henchoz and midfielder Salif Diao plus
cash in a bid to strike a deal.
Johnson has made a huge impact in his first season in the top flight with
Palace.
He joined the club from Birmingham as a £750,000 makeweight in Clinton
Morrion's £4.25million move to St Andrews.
JANUARY 7
Liverpool defender linked with Marseille
Kop Talk
Liverpool defender Gregory Vignal is attracting the interest of
Marseille, claim dubious sources this afternoon.
It is claimed that the French outfit are keen on signing the left-back who
is currently on loan north of the border at Glasgow Rangers.
Vignal failed to make an impact at Anfield under Gerard Houllier and
Rafael Benitez was advised to off-load him when he took over in the
summer.
JANUARY 6
Reds linked with
Cudicini
By Al Campbell - LFC Online
Liverpool have been linked with Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini.
Cudicini has been out of favour at Chelsea since the signing of Petr Cech
and is hoping for a move. The Italian wants to stay in the Premiership if
possible and Liverpool could be a possible destination according to his
agent.
Fererico Pastorello said yesterday: "In England there could be some clubs
interested. Liverpool could be interested in Carlo but other clubs also."
JANUARY 5
Spanish eyes on Igor
By Mark Kendall - Planet Football/Sky Sports
Liverpool's Igor Biscan has emerged as a target for Primera outfits
Atletico Madrid and Valencia.
The Croat has struggled to truly establish himself at Anfield since his
big-money move from Dinamo Zagreb in December 2000.
While he enjoyed first-team opportunities under Gerard Houllier, he has
failed to convince Rafa Benitez of his worth despite a couple of
eye-catching performances this term.
The 26-year-old has been used mainly in the Carling Cup, although it was
his display away in the UEFA Champions League against Deportivo La Coruna
that brought him to the attention of Valencia and Atletico.
Biscan is also thought to be on the agenda of both Celtic and Southampton,
with Saints boss Harry Redknapp already thought to have submitted a
£500,000 offer for his services.
JANUARY 4
Lyn claim Reds offer
By Kent Hedlundh - Planet Football/sky Sports
Liverpool are rumoured to be ready to pip Bolton to the capture of Oman
keeper Ali Al-Habsi.
The 22-year-old has been tipped for greatness since his teenage years,
with former Newcastle keeper John Burridge championing his cause way back
in 2001.
Burridge was national goalkeeping coach in Oman and aided the youngster's
development earlier in his career.
Al-Habsi has been with Norwegian side Lyn for the past two years and his
performances have earned rave reviews.
He had trials with Manchester City and Bolton earlier this year and The
Trotters have firmed their interest up with a bid in recent weeks.
Bolton's offer has been described as derisory by the Norwegian club, which
could well allow Liverpool to sneak into pole position.
"There is no point even discussing it," Lyn director Morgan Andersen told
VG of Bolton's offer. "The offer is terribly low, it is almost insulting
our intelligence."
Lyn, though, are claiming that they have been approached by an agent
representing Liverpool.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez is rumoured to be looking at strengthening his
goalkeeping options, with the Spaniard said to be unconvinced by Chris
Kirkland and Jerzy Dudek, and Al-Habsi could well have caught his eye.
"If the offer we have got is correct, it's certainly something we can
consider," added Andersen.
Al-Habsi has struggled to earn a work permit in the past, but his agent
said last month that Oman's improvement in recent years should allow him
to secure the documentation required to play in The Premiership and a move
could emerge in January.
JANUARY 4
Duo eye Le Tallec
By Patrick Haond - Planet Football/Sky Sports
Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion are considering boosting their
survival bids by signing Liverpool youngster Anthony Le Tallec.
The French starlet is currently back in his homeland on a season-long loan
with St Etienne but has not enjoyed his time in Ligue 1.
He has made just six appearances for Les Verts and has also struggled with
injuries, prompting doubts about whether he will stay at the club.
St Etienne coach Elie Baup is understood to be happy to allow Le Tallec to
return to England, if there is Premiership interest in his services.
Le Tallec admitted in November that he was prepared to go back to Anfield
to ease Liverpool's crisis in attack.
But with Fernando Morientes expected to arrive on Merseyside, Le Tallec is
unlikely to be required by manager Rafa Benitez.
Reports across The Channel suggest that both Norwich and West Brom are
willing to take Le Tallec on loan for the rest of the season.
Canaries boss Nigel Worthington is keen to bring in a new forward, after
admitting Crewe hot shot Dean Ashton is out of his price range.
West Brom boss Bryan Robson is also anxious to strengthen his options and
may move for Le Tallec before the transfer window closes.
JANUARY 2
Rumour
Mill: Reds to offload Kirkland
By Adam Bryant - LFC Online
Liverpool are ready to listen to offers for Chris Kirkland according to
the Sunday papers.
With Jerzy Dudek back in the first team and a bid pending for Leeds
United's Scott Carson, Liverpool are prepared to consider offers in the
region of £4m.
Such a move would also allow Rafael Benitez to increase his £4m offer for
Fernando Morientes.
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